Art Basel’s “Meet the Collectors” film series celebrates today’s most inspiring patrons
Marie-Cécile Zinsou is a leading figure in the world of contemporary African art. Born in Paris, this Beninese art historian and cultural entrepreneur has dedicated her life to the promotion and appreciation of African art. In 2005, she founded the Fondation Zinsou in Cotonou and in 2013 opened the Musée d’Art Contemporain de Ouidah, which is now a major institution in Benin.
In this episode of Meet the Collectors, she welcomes Art Basel to Ouidah. As she introduces us to her collection – which includes notable works by Jeremy Demester, Joël Andrianomearisoa and Ibrahim Mahama – she explains the nature of the project: “This museum was created for the community, for the children. The collection is built around the question: how do we tell a young audience in West Africa about the world today?”
The Fondation Zinsou also has a department dedicated to publishing art books. Its team trains teachers, works with schools and regularly organizes workshops where children are invited to create art using the same equipment as artists. “We want to offer them new ways to express themselves,” says Zinsou.
