Biography
Hako Hankson
Hako Hankson’s work is a true ode to the past and myths of ancient African civilizations. The artist transcribes, with legitimacy, the history of ancestral rites by giving them a contemporary resonance.
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.
 
Hako Hankson's work is a true ode to the past and myths of ancient African civilizations. The artist transcribes, with legitimacy, the history of ancestral rites by giving them a contemporary resonance. He grew up surrounded by distant beliefs, lulled by songs, a dialect, a poem in the manner of Homer, Hako hanlson's frescoes substitute for the spoken word and have a real didactic function. 
 
Skirting the fine line between profane and sacred, it is a rare world that is made accessible to the greatest number. These open windows on the past reminders to allow the actors of the present not to commit past mistakes. 
It is precisley to define this new Africanity that the artist places himself as the intermediary of an invisivke, secret world and usws emblemaic visual elements of world-renowened artist, yet foreign to hos country and its customs. Africa is know for its transmission through orality, a heritage of intangible storytelling and singing. 
Exhibitions
Video

Hako Hankson "L'ombre de mon père" from Instant News Services - Masters on Vimeo.

Works
  • Hako Hankson, The African woman Dora Maar, 2026
    The African woman Dora Maar, 2026 Sold
  • Hako Hankson, The faces of the shadows 2 , 2026
    The faces of the shadows 2 , 2026
  • Hako Hankson, Converts to Christianity, 2024
    Converts to Christianity, 2024
  • Hako Hankson, Babanking dance headdres, 2024
    Babanking dance headdres, 2024
  • Hako Hankson, Bamileké engagement days, 2024
    Bamileké engagement days, 2024
  • Hako Hankson , The invisible eyes, 2024
    The invisible eyes, 2024
  • Hako Hankson, Conclave, 2023
    Conclave, 2023
  • Hako Hankson, Evolution of Consciousness, 2023
    Evolution of Consciousness, 2023
Solo & Group Show

Hako Hankson CV

Born in 1968, Bafang, Cameroon.

 

Exhibitions

 

Solo and Group Shows (selection)

2026

Présences immémoriales, Galerie l'Atelier 21, Casablanca, MO

Alternative Practices and Unbound Forms: African Artists Across Recent Biennales, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, IT

"Africa Universe", Manifesta, Lyon, FR

2025

Diversity, what else?, AG18 Gallery, Wien, AT

Cris de mer et du désert, Oh Gallery, Dakar, SN

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

Silent Lives, Galerie d'Art L'Atelier 21, Casablanca, MO

2022

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

Sur la route des réfugiés, OFF Biennale de Dakar, Oh Gallery, Dakar, sn Biennale de Dakar, SN

2021

Réalisme ornirique: habiter le réel, Oh Gallery, Dakar, SN

2020

Galerie Le Sud, Zurich, CH

Exposition Kamerun, Oh Gallery, Dakar, SN

2019

Initiation, Fondation Donwahi, Abidjan, CI

Initiation, Oh Gallery, Dakar, SN

Space in between, avec This Is Not A White Cube, Lisbonne, PT

2018

Renaissance, Oh Gallery Dakar, SN, Artual Gallery, Abidjan, CI Galerie Mokolo, Douala, CAM

2017

La nature dans la ville, Institut Français de Cotonou, BJ

LA-BAS, esplanade des rencontres, Douala, CAM

2016

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

2015

Cameroun une vision contemporaine, The World Bank Act 5, Yaoundé, CAM

Togetter for the future, In and Off Art Center, Douala, CAM

2014

Lignes du cœur, Maison de la Coopérat- ion Allemande, Yaoundé, CAM

Traditions et contemporanéité, Espace doual’art, Douala, CAM

2013

Jonction, Carré des Artistes, Douala, CAM

2012

Ombres et esprits, Espace doual’art, Douala, CAM

Douala, Portraits, Espace doual’art, Douala, CAM

2011

Benskin, Centre Culturel Français, Yaoundé, CAM

Initiation, Coopération Allemande, Yaoundé, CAM

2010

Cité Otentic, Bonapriso-Douala, CAM 

2009

Souvenir de Patrice Lumumba, Centre Culturel Français, Douala, CAM

2008

Nuances Délicates, Centre Culturel Français, Yaoundé, CAM

2006

Mygale bleue, Cannes, FR

2005

Grand Popo, Villa Karl, BJ

CHIASMA, Palais des Congrès, Yaoundé, CAM

2004

Fouilles Arkéologic, Espace doual’art, Douala, CAM

2003

Espoir, Médecins sans Frontières, Douala, CAM

Brazza project, Brazzaville, CD

Kin wenze wenze, Ecole des beaux – arts de Kinshasa, CD

 

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