Sap-Héro

Born in Daloa in the central-west of Côte d’Ivoire, and honing his artistic practices in Korhogo, in the northwest of the country, Koné Issa, also known as Sap-Héro de Farafina, is a multidisciplinary artist. He started the Farafina arts center in Korhogo, an artistic training center that offers professional services, such as mural creations and silk screening. From 2000 to 2010, Sap-Héro trained youth in calligraphy and contemporary decoration. In 2013, he delved into slam poetry and, sensing something special there, dedicated himself to finding the technique and style that would represent a Mandingo feeling — Mandingo is the language and cultural designation for a swath of population covering regions of northern Côte d’Ivoire and several neighboring countries. His own Senoufo heritage is present in his art and in his poetry declamations.