Andrée Madeleine Blouin
Andrée Blouin, a Central African political activist and human rights advocate, left an indelible mark on history through her unwavering dedication to justice and equality. Born into a mixed-race family, she endured neglect and abuse in an orphanage, shaping her fierce commitment to combating discrimination. Blouin's activism intensified after the tragic loss of her son to malaria, fueling her campaign against racial discrimination in healthcare, notably challenging the Quinine Law. She played a pivotal role in Guinea's independence movement, forging alliances with prominent African leaders and mobilizing women for the Parti Solidaire Africain (PSA) alongside Patrice Lumumba. Blouin's advocacy extended to Europe, where she tirelessly championed gender and social equality in African nations. Her memoir, "My Country, Africa: Autobiography of a Black Pasionaria," offers a testament to her enduring legacy. Despite living in exile in Paris, Blouin remained a steadfast supporter of African opposition figures until her passing in 1986, leaving behind a powerful legacy of peace and justice.
I was fully inspired by a popular art form in the Central African Republic: creating intricate, layered, almost mosaic-like images from the wings of butterflies. I had never seen anything like it and wanted to incorporate the idea of that practice into a collage with Andrée’s image. As I was working, I decided to evolve the piece into more of a dimensional, sculptural collage by adding full butterflies that look like they are about to take flight. Andrée was so politically driven by the needless death of her son; the “live” butterflies are representative of her transformation and newfound drive and motivation to inspire change.
Central African Republic
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- Albania
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- Central African Republic
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