John Lie-A-Fo
Born: 1945 Paramaribo, Surinam.
Unity in diversity; one nation spirit.
This is reflected in our interwovenness, the mutual respect and the acceptation of each other’s cultures. In Suriname for example, a synagogue and a mosque are located right next to each other. And when it comes to important occasions, multiple religious leaders such as a pandit, a priest and a shaman, are usually asked to contribute.
This ‘Alakondre’ feeling is the basis of my works.
Sitography
John Lie A Fo is educated at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and the Free Academy in The Hague, and currently lives in French Guiana. His work, which consists of paintings, objects and graphic art, reflects his fascination with the traditional cultures of indigenous and maroon communities. Inspired by the unique balance between nature and spirituality within these cultures, he focuses on rituals and cultural artefacts. Besides culture, the beautiful nature of French Guiana brings another dimension to his art.