Momodou Ceesay | Artist

Momodou Ceesay - A Gambian Painter

Artists

Background & Biography:
The internationally renowned and famous Gambian

painter and printmaker, (Modou) Modou Ceesay, has been engaged in the arts for over three decades. He owns and runs an art studio and gallery called Kyor Art Gallery which is located in his local base at Bakau, though he has spent many years in the United States and continues to travel abroad. He lived for a short while in the Swiss Cottage area of London, UK, back in the late 1980's, with his wife and son, where he produced among other works 'Genesis' - 1989. He was born in the Gambia's capital, Banjul, in 1945 where he also received his early school education.

He is self-taught yet, a talented artist who embarked on his long-burning passion for painting after receiving a Bachelor's Degree in literature and languages in 1970 from the Wesleyan University in Connecticut (USA). It is therefore not surprising to learn that he is also an accomplished author writing his most recent novel titled 'On My Knees Before These Mighty Heavens' (Walsworth - Pub. 2007). He has also taught his craft for example as a teaching instructor at the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts in the US.

Some of his original works can be viewed at many prestigious institutions in the US such as at DuPont, AT&T, Citibank & Chase Manhattan to name but a few. Other works can be found in museums as far away as New Zealand. He has collaborated with other artists in Gambia over the years for example with Njogou Touray and the graphic designer Lamin Marennah to create the Banjul AU Summit's logo which was held in 2006.

He sees his works as an examination of images that instill beliefs that are in line with his own cultural inheritance and much of his productions are inspired by his own childhood stories he heard while growing up as a youth in Banjul. His paintings are created using watercolour and acrylic paint and applied in his own distinct way which clearly shows his individualistic approach to his subjects.

He believes strongly in promoting the arts to local schoolchildren as well as displaying the works of other local talent which he selects for display at his Kyor Gallery. He has also been attendant at the Art Educational & Cultural Trust Civil Society Forum of the Gambia.