Senegalese Sculptor Turns Discarded Bikes Into Pieces of Art
-
Loading... - Adjo Antwi
- 04 Oct 2024
- 58 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Meissa Fall, a 55-year-old sculptor from Saint Louis, Senegal, has a unique passion for transforming discarded bicycles into stunning pieces of art. Growing up, Meissa was fascinated by bicycles, and as a child, he would often see shapes and forms emerging from the bikes his father, a repairman, would fix. This early fascination eventually led him to become a sculptor, using every part of the bicycle to create intricate and thought-provoking artworks.
Meissa's journey as a sculptor began when he started cleaning and repairing bicycles in his father's workshop. As he worked, he would imagine the bikes transforming into various forms, such as birds or personalities. This creative vision eventually led him to start creating sculptures from discarded bicycles, using every part to create new and innovative pieces.
For Meissa, transforming old bikes into art is not just about creating something beautiful; it's also about extending the usefulness of the bicycles and "closing the circle in the cycle of life." He believes that each bike has a unique character, with every part working together in harmony, much like the solidarity and union of the people who ride them.
Meissa's love for bicycles is not limited to his art; he is also an avid cyclist. As a young man, he would ride motorbikes through the narrow streets of Saint Louis, but as he grew older, he began to appreciate the joy of riding at a slower pace on his clean and quiet bicycle. For Meissa, the bicycle is the perfect invention, producing no pollution, noise, or hassle.
Meissa's son, Bassirou, is also involved in his father's art, helping him create intricate sculptures from bicycle parts. Together, they work on transforming old bikes into new and innovative pieces, such as a fish made from a bicycle rim. Meissa hopes to pass on his passion and skills to his son, ensuring that the cycle of creation and repurposing continues unbroken.
For Meissa, his art is an ode to the millions of revolutions of the bikes' wheels on the tarmac and dirt roads of Saint Louis. It's a homage to the cycle of life and a legacy he hopes will continue to flow through his children. Through his art, Meissa is not only creating something beautiful but also telling a story about the importance of sustainability, creativity, and the human connection to the objects we use.
