JAKMAN-2 - DenHolm GAZZETTE

Jakman is a French Senegalese artist based in Paris. Working primarily with paint on upcycled street posters, Jakman portrays himself as Le Cowboy Urbain—a nostalgic western protagonist punctuated with a wide brim Stetson cowboy hat. Jakman’s self-portraits dovetail fashion and cinema with personal life experience.

Le Cowboy Urbain has burst onto the Paris art scene with his casually astute, block-hued paintings of himself in various states of desire, depth and quotidian life. His work’s unique comic-like figuration reflects the energy of his life. A French immigrant & journeyman painter, seemingly unsatisfied with one path. Swapping out mediums, as much as he does careers. From Senegal to Paris, the recent face for Hedi Slimane’s CELINE- this cowboy has no intent on standing still. His latest exhibition an ode to the beauty of history, ego & the coming of age; There is a hint of nervous youth, imbued partly with nostalgia, partly with the appreciation of the overlooked, creating a highly personal puzzle for the viewer to solve.

This Summer, Jakman showed his latest suite of paintings at 3537 Paris, writer’s Morgan Rudolph & Dhalia Stuart caught up with Jakman to unpack his curious devotions.

“THE TRANSITION TO
PARIS WAS BRUTAL”

I want to start a little personal, talk to me about the transition between Senegal, West Africa and suburban Paris. I was born and raised in Senegal until the age of 5-6, I must admit that I don’t have many memories of Senegal. I do remember though that the transition was brutal; Whether it was architecture, people, education, music and especially the temperature. I will never forget the day I walked out of the airport into this city. I’m heading back soon to Senegal after 18 years in Europe, I admit that I’m a little stressed.

How does this cultural melange influence your work? My culture streams through my work in terms of colours and the posture of my character. Have you always had the character of an artist- is this what you always saw yourself as? No, I didn’t always want to be an Artist. At the age of 7 I saw myself being a veterinarian, then, like most adolesence, perhaps a job that would make me famous to the world. As a teen without focus -I no longer knew what to do. Then without planning when I was 18 I had a click for painting. What were your family’s initial thoughts on that idea? My brother and my sisters always supported me, same for my parents but they still kept me on guard because in this society being a painter is not really a profession, in any case it is complicated to live from it.

You recently had a show at COMMES des GARÇONS DSM Gallery space in Paris, 3537- it’s an incredible space located in the heart of the Marais- the city of Paris is so far removed from the ‘western cowboy’ themes of your work, does that contrast manifest within your paintings? Indeed, it is a contrast! But that rigid position will eventually become a harmony. Especially over the next few years as I intend to link Paris to my universe.

HOW DOES EACH WORKS CORE THEME INITIATE?

Most of my works on canvas are personally reflective subjects, based in history and pronounced through colour. Your work straddles other mediums though. Is the conceptual process the same? No, for my works on posters I go there on instinct and I improvise.

What is your ideal breakfast? I would say the breakfast prepared for me by someone dear to my heart. An omelette, tzatziki, a baguette, turkey breast and a cup of coffee.

Have you ever ridden a mechanical bull? Never, but why not.

Do you make love with your Stetson on/off? Off. How many boots do you own? Do you have a favourite? I only have the one pair of boots, I know it sounds weird considering, but I prefer my pair of Salomon to my boots; of course it depends on the outfit.

Previously you’ve referenced inspiration from fashion, cinema, your childhood and even bygone eras. What was the main source of inspiration for your most recent exhibition—The Coming of Age? For this exhibition it was more personal, I was mainly inspired by my first romantic relationship and my new felt maturity.

Oozaru
Technique : Peinture à l’acrylique. 2022

Hedi Slimane has become one of the shaping creative forces of our current epoch. What was the experience like working with him at Celine? Were you nervous? Hedi Slimane is a very humble, respectable person and he knows what he wants. He has a way of looking at clothes and details that makes me realize that I will have to work hard to hope to have this same perspective that he has on his surroundings. I’m not going to lie to you, I didn’t know who Hedi was before he was introduced to me.

Who would win in a quick draw gun fight?
a./ Clint Eastwood, The Good the Bad and the Ugly.
b./ Sheriff Woody, Toy Story.
c/. Django, Django Unchained.
d./ Han Solo, Star Wars.
I think Django. Because he is defintely the most focused. Do you have a favourite Western film? And why do like it? “The Return of an Adventurer” by Moustapha Alassane, it’s the first African Western film.

Oozaru
Technique : Peinture à l’acrylique. 2022

The scorpion motif repeats in your work, what does it represent? The scorpion is a very formidable and resistant little animal and it can choose it’s prey. Most of my friends are of the scorpion sign and apparently we are resentful and worrying. Most of the time the scorpions that I represent on my works are a dedication to my friends.

What is on the horizon for Jakman? new shows coming up? My next exhibition will take place at Urban Artfair in Paris next April. I will be releasing my NFTs at the same time.

You’ve made no hesitiation in describing the majority of your works as self-portraits. In so much as you’ve described the hero of your works, Jakman, ‘Le Cowboy Urbain’ (The Urban Cowboy] as a ‘self-portrait character’. He/ You appears in each of your pieces. Is this a cathartic journey you are on? Perhaps it’s more a self narrative, a story inspired by my origins and played out through my everyday life. But this sheriff is always adorned with his famous “crown”: the Stetson.

WHAT SONG WOULD PLAY DURING YOUR CLOSING CREDITS?

That sounded morbid, let me rephrase. If Le Cowboy Urbain made The Big Screen (cinemas), what song would play during the closing credits? Magic System – Premier Gaou.

CREDITS

Black & White Image:
Photograper: Hedi Slimane.
Care of CELINE.

Artwork Imagery:
Care of JAKMAN.

Title & Colour Imagery:
Photograper: Roberto Cifuentes.
Care of models.com
Creative direction and styling by Calvin Nymon (assisted by Amany Gogo).
Hair by Sacha Mass.
Production by The Corner Collective.
With Gratitude: Hakim & Sala Prod Paris.