Marc Padeu

Marc Padeu’s (Melong, Cameroon, b. 1990) practice is rooted in storytelling, memory, and the enduring narratives that connect people across time. His paintings often begin with deep research and years of contemplation before coming to life on canvas. Drawing from childhood memories, images from his family home, and photographs of close friends, Padeu transports viewers into intimate mises en scène. He frequently collaborates with local actors, restaging moments from family celebrations or daily life, which he then transforms into layered, theatrical compositions in the studio.

While studying at the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Douala, Padeu was deeply influenced by the mastery of Velázquez and Caravaggio, as well as the colour and light of the Impressionists. The history of painting—particularly devotional imagery—remains central to his work. “I can’t work without historical and religious references,” he notes. “History is my passion, and religious belief has always surrounded me.”

Padeu has exhibited widely, including at the National Museum of Yaoundé, Kunstmuseum Basel, Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town, and the National Gallery of Contemporary Art, Cameroon. His works are part of major collections such as the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada, and the Space K Museum, South Korea.