CISAC and ADAGP mourn the loss of Ousmane Sow

The creative world bids farewell to the exceptional artist, ADAGP member and CISAC Vice President Ousmane Sow, who passed away in Dakar at the age of 81. Ousman Sow’s sculptures were monumental expressions of a brilliant mind. He was in his fourth year as Vice President of CISAC, having been re-elected to a new term during the June 2016 General Assembly.

Tireless in his efforts on behalf of creators from all corners of the globe, Ousmane Sow passionately promoted the rights of visual artists and supported their campaign for the resale right. In October 2015, on the day of his 80th birthday, he spoke at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, at an event dedicated to importance of the resale right and, in front of an audience of delegates from around the world, selflessly called attention to other artists:

“When I started, I did not know whether I’d be able to live from my art. Today in Africa, the situation is still the same for many artists. They need to be supported.”

In May 2015, Ousmane Sow participated to a roundtable discussion during the Cannes Film Festival where he stressed the important of resale right for all visual artists. The conference titled “The Future of Authors Rights in Europe: Culture and the Single Digital Market” attracted notable government officials, including French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and the French Minister for Culture and Communication.

“We, the creators, we need the Resale Right now, not only in Europe but around the world,” Ousmane Sow stated during that occasion.

“We, the creators, are at the origin of an entire economy around our works, and it would still be wrong, unfair, that we do not reap the rewards”.

A man of conviction, he was the first African visual artist to enter the French Academy of Fine Arts in 2013.

Reacting to the passing of Ousmane Sow, CISAC Director General Gadi Oron said,

“The world lost one of its greatest visual artists. Ousmane was a warm and humble person who delivered powerful messages through unique art that we will cherish forever. We were proud and honored to have him as our Vice President, an ambassador for visual artists worldwide and a strong advocate for their rights.”

ADAGP Director General Marie-Anne Ferry-Fall said,

“Ousmane Sow was an extraordinary man and an exceptional artist, whose sculptures, so strong and human, have deeply moved us. ADAGP, on behalf of all its members, expresses its profound gratitude for his willingness to put his charism and wisdom at the service of artists.”

Visual artist and International Council of Creators of Graphic, Plastic and Photographic Arts (CIAGP) Chair Hervé di Rosa shared,

“I am devastated by the sad news of Ousmane passing away.”