Abdias Ngateu | Artist Overview

Born in 1990 in Douala, Cameroon, Abdias Ngateu lives and works in his hometown, where the vibrant and chaotic urban environment serves as a profound source of inspiration for his art. His lifelong love for drawing since childhood and his discovery of painting and screen printing in 2004 fueled his passion. His parents enrolled him in a screen printing and decorative art workshop led by the painter Jack Decor, where he honed his drawing and painting techniques while continuing his secondary education. Later, the influence of artists like Achilleka Komguem and the avant-garde teachings of Guillaume Apollinaire inspired Ngateu to pursue a full-time artistic career. Ngateu’s unique approach involves anthropomorphizing animals to mirror human behaviors, blurring the lines between human and animal traits. This technique allows him to delve deeply into societal issues, particularly the complexities of urban travel and the infrastructural challenges in Douala. « My technique draws inspiration from photos taken on the streets of Douala and elsewhere to create a patchwork of unique and metaphorical works. I replaces human faces with those of animals based on the emotions and sensations I feel, conveying emotions through the expressions of certain animals » Ngateu confided. This technique evolves as he works, refining over time and experience. Ngateu's art highlights the disarray and corruption inherent in the urban infrastructure. The roads, meant for transportation, quickly fall into disrepair due to the lack of adherence to construction standards and pervasive corruption. Vehicles, overloaded and barely operational, become symbols of resilience and survival amidst the dysfunction. Douala, as the economic heart of Cameroon, is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for him. Its bustling streets, precariousness, and multicultural communities have profoundly influenced his artistic vision.