Visual Artist
Roger Yapi
yapiroger29@gmail.com
(00255) 07 07 63 98 42 / 05 44 83 63 14
"Every human being has been granted two qualities: power and gift. Power leads man to meet his destiny; gift obliges him to share with others the best of himself." These words by the famous writer PAULO COELHO describe the life of the prolific multidisciplinary artist born on December 31, 1973, in Katiola. Aware of his gift from an early age, after completing his schooling, he enrolled at the Charles Bieth Technical Center in Abengourou and then the Technical Center for Applied Arts in Bingerville, graduating from both institutions.
An experienced technician and unrepentant enthusiast with boundless inspiration, Yapi Roger moves effortlessly from painting to sculpture, appropriating a variety of sometimes surprising materials. He gives free rein to his creativity while sharing his view of society with us through an abstract artistic message, leaving room for imagination and free and passionate interpretation.
A member of the elite group of visual artists in Ivory Coast and recognized by her peers, the artist has received several awards for the quality of her work, and her pieces have been featured in numerous exhibitions in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
And as philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche so aptly put it: "The artist has the power to awaken the strength to act that lies dormant in other souls." With his thirty years of rich career experience, Yapi Roger has been able to awaken unexpected passions in us through his works.
Exhibitions
2025 - Gnambélégué (KOROGHO) RCI
International granite sculpture event in Côte d'Ivoire, Gnambélégué (KOROGHO) in northern Côte d'Ivoire from September1 to 13, 2025
2021 - Houkami Guyzagn Gallery, Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
Exhibition (Resilience) of Painting and Sculpture Houkami Guyzagn Gallery, Abidjan (October 7, 2021 to October 31, 2021)
2021 - Rotonde des Arts Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
Exhibition: 64 Years of Visual Arts in Ivory Coast Rotonde des Arts Abidjan (February 18)
2019 - ROTONDE DES ARTS CONTEMPORAINS (Nour Al Hayat Gallery) Plateau, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Exhibition(Giving Life Another Chance), ROTONDE DES ARTS CONTEMPORAINS (Nour Al Hayat Gallery) Plateau, Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (August 2 to September 2)
2019 - Mali
Exhibition at the Segou’Art Festival on the Niger River, Mali
2018 - DAK'ART Biennial of Contemporary African Art
OFF at the9th edition of the DAK'ART 6 Dakar Contemporary African Art Biennial in Senegal. (May 3 to June 2)
2017 - Sofitel - Hotel Ivoire
A painting to save a child1st Edition Sofitel – Hôtel Ivoire (October 19, 20, 21)
2015 - AZERBAIJAN
6th BAKU International Arts Festival (AZERBAIJAN) (June 11 to 14)
2011 - SIAPA in Abidjan
1st Abidjan International Plastic Arts Exhibition (SIAPA) in Abidjan. (December1 to 10)
2010 - DAK'ART Biennial of Contemporary African Art
Participation in IN at the9th edition of the DAK'ART Biennial of Contemporary African Art (Retrospective Perspectives) Dakar, Senegal (May 7 to June 7)
2009 - ROTONDE DES ARTS CONTEMPORAINS (Nour Al Hayat Gallery) Plateau, Abidjan
Exhibition: "History concerns us," ROTONDE DES ARTS CONTEMPORAINS (Nour Al Hayat Gallery) Plateau, Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (April 23 to May 16)
2008 - ARkadi at the Hotel Ivoire
6thedition of ARkadi at the Hotel Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
2005 - Stockholm
Exhibition organized by the M.A.A.O in Stockholm, Sweden
2005 - Niamey (Niger)
Francophone Games from December 7 to December 17 in Niamey (Niger).
2003 - BICICI. Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).
BICICI Exhibition. "BICICI Friend of the Arts." Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).
2001 - Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).
Exhibition, National Museum of Civilizations, Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
2001 - Bingerville (RCI)
Exhibition of "KRAIDY Culturels" in Bingerville (RCI).
1999 - Founding of PANAFCOM. Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
Exhibition "Coup de fusil" at the Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan, PANAFCOM Foundation. Abidjan (CI).
1998 - Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
The Brush Festival of the City of Abidjan,1st Edition, (Ivory Coast).
Symposiums and Residencies
2016 - BURKINA FASO
11th edition of the LAONGO International Granite Sculpture Symposium (BURKINA FASO) (October 5 to November 11)
2012 - Casablanca Biennial (MOROCCO)
Residences (African Perspectives), and exhibition at the Casablanca Biennale
2012 - BURKINA FASO
10th edition of the international granite sculpture symposium in LAONGO (BURKINA FASO)
2008 - Togo – Lomé
"EWOLÉ" (International Visual Arts Meeting and Residency, Togo – Lomé). (March 4 to April 6)
2005 - Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou)
Residency organized by the BLANCHER Foundation, Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou)
2005 - Togo - Lomé
EWOLE-7 "Encounters – International Visual Arts Residencies"
1996 - Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
Participation in the Painting Symposium and Exhibition at the French Cultural Center, Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), by the OLORUN Foundation.
Awards and distinctions
2005 - Lomé (TOGO)
1st Prize "ISSA KOUYATE," Winner of the Drawing Prize, Lomé (TOGO)
2001 - Orange Foundation Abidjan (RCI)
Winner of the GUY NAIRAY Grand Prize HOUKAMI GUYZAGN Agency/Orange Foundation Abidjan (CI)
1999 - SIFCOM Foundation, Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
2nd Prize in the TREMPLIN 99 Painting Competition, SIFCOM Foundation, Abidjan (CI).
1998 - PANAFCOM Foundation, Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
1st Prize in the PANAFCOM Foundation Painting Competition, Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).
1997 - SIFCOM Foundation, Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
Winner of the TREMPLIN Painting Competition, SIFCOM Foundation, Abidjan, Ivory Coast