By Al Gord
Maria Lourdes Babasasa, better known artistically as Louma is a self-taught French artist. She was born in Equatorial Guinea but also lived in Nigeria and Spain before moving to France as a teenager. It was during this time that the quest for identity became a central subject in her life.
After all, that she had experienced from a young age, Louma wanted to know herself in order to accept herself and find her own place in society, wherever that might be.
Before we delve into your story, I have to ask you the inspiration behind using a pseudonym for your art.
When I first started painting, I did not consider an alternative name. I was painting for myself and so there was no need for one. Shortly after I started, a friend offered me an exhibition and as a result, I had to think about how I wanted to be known.
I felt that my full name was too long, and so I preferred to choose a nickname, Louma being the reverse contraction of my first name composed of Lou from Lourdes and Ma from Maria. From there the artist known as Louma was born.
Louma, your childhood was a fascinating one but also one that resulted in you having to take refuge due to the regime in the country in which you were living. Can you share with us what life was like for you and how art played a role, if any, during this time?
Indeed, we left my country of origin, Equatorial Guinea, when I was only an 11-month-old baby, under tragic conditions. We first lived in Nigeria and then moved to Spain in 1979.
We arrived in Spain in the middle of the “Movida” movement, after the Franco regime. I think it was at this moment that art via this new culture: dance, traditions, gastronomy, visual art, etc., was allowed to be explored. With this new opportunity, my first impression, I think, was that of a great “freedom”.
As a teenager, you had moved to France, after living in a number of different countries. It was during this time that you first began to explore the concept of identity. What did you learn about yourself and how has your concept of identity change since then?
The concept of identity has always been present, to the extent that from the outset the difference was a fact, both in society and for me personally. When we were in Africa, everyone was black, I was mixed, and when we arrived in Spain, knowing that the context is not the one today, everyone was white while I was of mixed background.
Once I arrived in France in 1989, the concept took on new meaning based on the notion of national identity and integration – which have become issues, in my opinion, as problems of society. As a teenager, I started to hear about integration in the political arena and it was during this time that I began to reflect on what those words meant to me.
I would suggest that identity plays a huge role in your art. How does it inspire your creations and how is it reflected in your work?
In principle, I refuse to belong to a specific community. I find the idea “sectarian and very reductive”. In the Utopian sense, I would hope to be part of every community, one where my work transcends all and where it touches and connects with each individual.
I consider my identity as the sum of all the stages of my life – a mixture of many things, cultures, people, races and so on. As such my choices and mixture in colours is not random; it is introspective to who I am. As for my characters, they are original free flowing abstract concepts, kind of like me.
It was not until 2020 that you started to paint. What was the catalyst for you and why did you turn to painting as a way to express your thoughts and ideas?
Initially it was the global health crisis – the pandemic, where my first instinct was to stay creative during this complicated period. Loneliness also played a huge role, the sense of being alone for the first time in my life and being able to find myself with myself.
It really became a moment of introspection that I used to express what I had to say without thinking that it could really be interesting.
Culturally you have a lot to pull from, based on your experiences. Is there a cultural flavour to your art that you want to ensure is recognized and celebrated throughout your works?
I try not to think of my work as being culturally impactful. More than anything, I view my work as promoting diversity and difference. As well, I see my art as a celebration of tolerance and love and that is what I hope others take from my creations.
I have heard you share that you use your work as a means of security, one where you allow your fears or at least your innermost feelings to be shared on canvas. Is that an accurate statement and can you explain to us what that means for those viewing your art?
When I said that it was not about fear or protection, it was about an awareness of my technical weaknesses. I am self-taught and I have only been painting for a little while. While there is something to be said for formal training, I feel that my work it complex and would be hard to develop with schooling.
I am thrilled with the direction it has taken, as for me, it is about opening up for others to see my work, in its rawest from, something, I am passionate about regardless of others’ feelings.
It is not easy sharing your work with others. As an artist, I know that our work is open to critique. How best would you describe your work to those not yet familiar with your art?
It is very difficult to answer because ultimately each artist has their own specificities, be it style, concept, technique, etc. For those not familiar my work is unique – think of it as something foreign, as if you were talking to Martians. Something that leaves you intrigued but which is hard to describe.
However, if I had to explain it to someone I would best describe it as a combination of Abstract, Contemporary, and Surrealist work – maybe even a form of Modern Expressionism.
Louma I have seen you describe your work as being influenced by Cubism and Symbolism. Who are some of the artists who inspire you and what type of Symbolism is embedded in your art?
My influences imposed themselves organically. Having no technique at the base of my art, the forms were created naturally. The artists who have stayed with me since childhood are well-known Spanish artists – namely, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and my personal favourite, Joan Miro.
Art is very personal and as artists, we can become very attached to our work. Do you have one specific painting that holds special meaning for you?
I recognize that I have a connection to each of my paintings, but at the same time, I do not hold any particular attachment to any specific piece. For me, it is a matter of sharing my works with others. I painted “People” one of my first acrylic pieces. It was quite special because it woke up things in me that I had been hiding for a long time. Oddly enough to see them in front of me gave me the opportunity to make peace with these subjects.
The impact that one piece had is incredibly powerful. In closing, you have shared that the youth of today are your true source of inspiration. Why are they your motivation and do you have a message that you wish to share with them?
First, I am interested in youth because I have a 22-year-old son.
I find this generation to be so open about differences. I am fascinated the way they think. For example, knowing that this age group does not see the concept of “gender” as an issue or as having clear-cut boundaries is impactful. As well, they are far more sensitive than we are to ecological problems. They are very aware of the issues and certainly angry about what we are leaving as a legacy, but I think they have a much stronger sense of engagement than my generation.
As for the message, I think it is up to us to listen to them and not the other way around, at least in regards the future of humanity.
Louma’s journey is only at the beginning stages. As she continues to explore the concept of identity and its meaning, it will be interesting to see how it is reflected in Louma’s works. With her unique approach to painting and her philosophical if not spiritual quest through art, Louma will have lots to share in the coming years. Her artistic voyage can be followed through her Instagram page.
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