Hako Hankson

Born in 1968, Bafang, Cameroon.
Living and working in Douala, Cameroon.

Born in 1968 in Bafang, Cameroon, Hako Hankson now lives and works in Douala. A self-taught artist, Hako, whose real name is Gaston Hako, was promised a completely different future. However, he chose painting and the elements that forged his youth. With a diploma in car mechanics, he could not help decorating his classrooms from the time he was in primary school.

Hako Hankson’s approach is to help and learn from his peers. Through sharing and exchange since his artistic beginnings, he has created a reception centre and a place of residence for visual artists facing difficulties. This structure, called In and off art center, was inaugurated in 2013 by his own means.

Hako grew up under the influence of the art and culture of the sources of his country. His father, the first notable of his village, was one of the greatest notables of Cameroon in addition to being a sculptor and musician at the Royal Palace. Hako was therefore brought up surrounded by objects of initiation rites: masks, statuettes, totems etc. used by his father.

The Black Ghost

Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo, Arim Andrew, Kelechi Nwaneri, Cristiano Mangovo, Hako Hankson, Frederick Okai Tetteh

17 Nov 2022 - 20 Jan 2023

Hako Hankson CV

Born in 1968, Bafang, Cameroon.

EXHIBITIONS

Solo and Group exhibitions (selection)

2024

The urgency of thought, Primo Marella Gallery, Lugano, CH;

Venice Biennial Cameroon Pavilion, Venezia, IT;

2023

The Lost Legacy, Primo Marella Gallery Milano, Milan, IT;

2022

The Black Ghost, Primo Marella Gallery Milano, Milan, IT;

Sur la route des réfugiés, OFF Biennale de Dakar, OH GALLERY, Dakar, Sénégal / Biennale de Dakar, Sénégal;

2021

Réalisme ornirique: habiter le réel, OH GALLERY, Dakar, Sénégal;

2020

Galerie Le Sud, Zurich, Suisse / Exposition Kamerun, OH GALLERY, Dakar, Sénégal;

2019

Initiation, Fondation Donwahi, Abidjan, Côte-d’Ivoire / Initiation, OH GALLERY, Dakar, Sénégal / Space in between, avec This Is Not A White Cube, Lisbonne, Portugal;

2018

Renaissance, OH GALLERY, Dakar, Sénégal Artual Gallery, Abidjan, Côte-d’Ivoire Galerie Mokolo, Douala, Cameroun;

2017

La nature dans la ville, Institut Français de Cotonou, Bénin / LA-BAS, esplanade des rencontres, Douala, Cameroun;

2016

Traces du passé et poussières de cendre, Espace Doual’art, Douala, Cameroun;

2015

Cameroun une vision contemporaine, The World Bank Act 5, Yaoundé, Cameroun / Togetter for the future, In and Off Art Center, Douala, Cameroun;

2014

Lignes du cœur, Maison de la Coopérat- ion Allemande, Yaoundé, Cameroun / Traditions et contemporanéité, Espace doual’art, Douala, Cameroun;

2013

Jonction, Carré des Artistes, Douala, Cameroun;

2012

Ombres et esprits, Espace doual’art, Douala, Cameroun / Douala, Portraits, Espace doual’art, Douala, Cameroun;

2011

Benskin, Centre Culturel Français, Yaoundé, Cameroun / Initia- tion, Coopération Allemande, Yaoundé, Cameroun;

2010

Cité Otentic, Bonapriso-Douala, Cameroun 2006 / Mygale bleue, Cannes, France;

2009

Souvenir de Patrice Lumumba, Centre Culturel Français, Douala, Cameroun;

2008

Nuances Délicates, Centre Culturel Français, Yaoundé, Cameroun;

2005

Grand Popo, Villa Karl, Bénin / CHIASMA, Palais des Congrès, Yaoundé, Cameroun

2004

Fouilles Arkéologic, Espace doual’art, Douala, Cameroun; 2003: Espoir, Médecins sans Frontières, Douala, Cameroun/ Brazza project, Brazzaville, CD / Kin wenze wenze, Ecole des beaux – arts de Kinshasa, CD

Biennale di Venezia 2024

primo marella gallery

April 17, 2024

Moments from Venice! ✨ Congratulations to all the artists for the incredible work! Troy Makaza works presented in the Zimbabwean pavilion Moffat Takadiwa at the...

Hako Hankson will represent the Cameroon Pavilion - Venice Biennale 2024

60th Biennale di Venezia 2024

February 7, 2024

It is with great enthusiasm that we announce Hako Hankson as the talented representative of the Cameroon Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale 2024. With...