APPOLINAIRE GUIDIMBAYE / DOFF

DOFF, whose real name is Appollinaire Guidimbaye, is a self-taught artist from Chad. He lives and works in N'Djamena. Coming from a family where art was a natural path, DOFF quickly gravitated toward marquetry and developed remarkable expertise in metal assembly, reflecting his deep desire to create and refine his craft. A relentless experimenter, his works are often the result of extensive research and exploration.

His early creations emerged from the assemblage of diverse objects, including beads, newspapers, electrical circuits, and bullet casings collected near shooting ranges. These works served as a poignant critique of the devastation caused by internal conflicts in his native Chad.

Since 2019, DOFF has focused primarily on paxalu, a thermal insulating material he discovered on a beach during an artist residency in Assinie. This material has since become the cornerstone of his artistic practice. He delves into the density and tonal variations of paxalu’s black surface, using it to highlight critical issues such as drought and pollution.

DOFF sees himself as both a messenger and a whistleblower. Through his art, he raises awareness of ecological crises, including pollution and desertification. His approach, rooted in recycling, is both educational and artistic, aiming to inspire reflection and action on pressing environmental concerns.