Mederic Turay, a renowned artist from the Ivory Coast and recipient of the Best Young Artist of West Africa award, unveils his first exhibition in the UAE. His works are part of prestigious collections, including those of Charles Saatchi, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, and Switzerland’s Niarchos Collection. Known for his dynamic fusion of African tribal art and contemporary influences, Turay takes us through his artistic journey, cultural roots, and creative inspirations. The EIDOS exhibition is open in RARARES Gallery in cooperation with BALCON studio.
GATE_DXB: For many artists, their origins and roots are central to their creative process. You were born in Africa but spent your childhood in the USA. Which cultural background has influenced you the most?
Mederic Turay: Africa gave me a deep connection to tradition and ancestry — it’s where my roots are. America, on the other hand, provided the freedom to create without boundaries. These two influences shaped my identity as an artist — one grounded in rich history, the other embracing limitless expression. My work is a dialogue between these two worlds, celebrating cultural fusion and diversity.
GATE_DXB: One of your mottos is: “Get inspired to pursue your dreams; then nothing can stop you.” What inspires you now?
Mederic Turay: Inspiration is a journey. My roots always inspire me, but so do my surroundings, people’s reactions, and even simple things like nature or music. I also see art as a spiritual language — a way to communicate emotions beyond words. Each painting is a piece of my soul, an interpretation of the world as I see it.
GATE_DXB: How has your heritage as a descendant of the Akan royal family shaped your artistic vision?
Mederic Turay: Being of Akan royal lineage means carrying a deep connection to history and tradition. My work reimagines the visual language of my ancestors — symbols, masks, and patterns — infusing them with a contemporary perspective. I see myself as a bridge between past and present, using my art to share the wisdom of my heritage with future generations.
Take patterns, for example. Symbols have always been part of human history — they’ve never disappeared. The only difference is that we’ve exchanged traditional symbols for emojis. Emojis are simply the modern version of those ancient symbols.
GATE_DXB: You’ve led an impressive life full of travel, exhibiting in venues across Morocco, the Ivory Coast, and the United States. If you were to write a book about your life, what would the title be, and what five chapters would describe your artistic journey so far?
Mederic Turay: I would title it Eternal Voices because my art gives voice to the spirits of the past. The chapters might be:
Roots and Heritage – My early life and cultural foundation.
Whispers of Totems – How ancestral symbols speak through my work.
Crossroads of Identity – Navigating different cultures and artistic expressions.
The Power of Symbols – How I use art to communicate deeper meanings.
The Golden Horizon – My ongoing exploration of new artistic frontiers.
GATE_DXB: Once you said that your works read like poetry. What can the signature artwork of this exhibition tell us?
Mederic Turay: This piece embodies the energy of my journey. It’s a fusion of bold colors from my street art background with tribal elements that carry historical depth. Patterns inspired by ancient scarifications symbolize identity and belonging. Take those three lines, for example. I believe life presents three major opportunities. Missing one is human, even two — but failing to learn from them is the real loss. The third could be your last, and you may not even realize it.
GATE_DXB: If you could paint Dubai, what colors and materials would you choose?
Mederic Turay: Definitely gold and blue. Gold symbolizes prestige, eternity, and ambition—qualities that define Dubai’s essence. Blue represents the poetic interplay between the sky and the city, reflecting the vision and innovation that shape its skyline. Dubai is a place of transformation, much like art itself.
