David Sanou

Burkina Faso

David Sanou [Figure 2-2], began carving in his father André’s studio in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso in 2001 and has been at the helm of the atelier since André Sanou’s retirement in 2009. David currently specializes in creating mask headpieces but occasionally also makes elaborate chairs, small statues, and other wood-carved items. Patrons from various districts in the city and many surrounding towns commission carved headpieces from David that adhere to the standards of regional mask genres while exhibiting an unparalleled degree of refinement. In addition to its reputation for quality work, the studio has also been renowned for innovating new forms, both when it was run by André, and now by David. In addition to accepted mask genres like Kimi, Kiele, Nyanga, Tu, and others, individuals can commission new forms such as a “Portrait Mask” carved to closely resemble the visage of a deceased loved one, or a “Compromise Kimi” which tempers the dramatic naturalism of Portrait Masks. Ultimately, David’s artistry beautifies accepted forms and introduces significant transformations of those forms.