Born in 1991 in Dabou, Côte d’Ivoire, Brice Esso is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture, photography, fashion design, and perfumery. Raised in an environment rich with terracotta artifacts and influenced by his geologist father, Esso developed an early appreciation for the transformative power of natural materials.
Esso pursued a bachelor’s degree in economics at Georgia State University and explored photography and craftsmanship. In 2015, he enrolled at the New York Academy of Art to study drawing before transitioning to sculpture. Esso was awarded the Carrara Residency Merit Award, which took him to Carrara, Italy. There, he immersed himself in stone sculpting and created his first large-scale “baby head,” a motif that has become emblematic of his work.
Esso’s sculptures are influenced by African art traditions and inspired by Italian Renaissance techniques. His works often incorporate elements reminiscent of Ife sculptures and explore themes such as existence, migration, and the African diaspora. He employs materials like marble, integrating traditional African modeling techniques and modern technologies, including augmented reality and robotic drilling, to challenge and expand the boundaries of contemporary art.
In 2022, Esso opened Studio 08, a creative laboratory within Abidjan’s luxury concept store, ABY Concept. Studio 08 serves as a platform for collaboration between international creatives and African artisans, aiming to valorize African craftsmanship through the fusion of traditional practices and modern design.
Esso’s work has been exhibited internationally, including a notable exhibition titled “Les enfants de l’homme” at the Church of Santa Maria della Spina in Pisa, Italy, in 2022. This installation featured marble sculptures aligned with the church’s central axis, inviting viewers to engage with the art and the historic space.
Through his diverse body of work, Brice Esso continues to explore and redefine the intersections of identity, tradition, and contemporary artistry.
