SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
Aboudia’s painting draws on graffiti made by young residents in the working-class neighbourhoods of Abidjan, particularly Abobo, Yopougon and Treichville. It focuses on everyday life in Côte d’Ivoire and the history of conflicts; his early series are described as biographical, sometimes oppositional. He trained at the Centre des Arts Appliqués de Bingerville, where he earned a diploma specialising in mural art in 2003; he is also listed as a graduate of the Institut des arts d’Abidjan in 2005.
His practice combines brightly coloured oil pastels, acrylic and collage; over these backgrounds, he draws figures in spray paint or pastel, with a line described as energetic and rapid. His works are shown at the Biennale Bénin in 2012, then at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno in 2013, at Galleria Continua in 2014 and at the Saatchi Gallery in London as part of “Pangaea: New Art From Africa and Latin America” in 2014–2015. In May 2014, Bonhams sells his canvas “I remember when all this was trees” in London for 16,000 dollars.
Works by the artist are held in the collections of the Saatchi Gallery, the Nevada Museum of Art and the Tiroche DeLeon Collection. In 2018, he establishes the Fondation Aboudia in Bingerville to support children and young artists. He lives and works between Abidjan and Brooklyn.
This profile brings together identity references for Aboudia and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
2 references are documented at Sotheby’s, Lempertz. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.
Aboudia, b. 1983. Untitled no. 12. Signed Aboudia, centre right. Mixed media on canvas, 150 × 150 cm.
Untitled no. 12
Aboudia b. 1983 Untitled no. 12 signed Aboudia (center right) mixed media on canvas 150 × 150 cm
Catalogue period : 2023-06-02 — 2023-06-09
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
Estimate : 45000 – 55000 CHF
View the lot at the auction house ↗
Mixed media on canvas
Ohne Titel
Mischtechnik auf Leinwand
Auction date : 2020-06-20
Published result : 7500 EUR
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : 6000
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Documentation updated : 2026-10-19
