Bandjoun Station Museum: A Cultural Oasis in the Heart of Cameroon

The Bandjoun Station Museum of African Art is cradled within the verdant landscapes of Bamiléké country in West Cameroon, a land that takes pride in its rich agricultural heritage and time-honoured artistic traditions. It is a place where my own roots lie, where masks are still a vibrant part of the culture, and where Bandjoun, one of the largest chiefdoms of the Bamiléké ethnic group, thrives.

This cultural landmark, situated roughly 270kms from the bustling cities of Douala and Yaoundé and nestled near the town of Bafoussam, stands majestically at an altitude of about 1500m. It is a testament to a rich cultural lineage and the bounty of nature, enveloped by lush vegetation and well-developed agriculture.

The Bandjoun Station Museum is an architectural marvel, comprised of two distinct structures: a three-storey, 25m-high Art Centre, and a workshop accommodation block designed to house up to twelve resident artists. These artists breathe life into the museum, creating art in harmony with the local populace and enriching the cultural tapestry of the region.

The Art Centre is divided into five spacious sections, each spanning 120 square meters. It serves as a cultural hub, with a basement for meetings and projections, a reading room on the ground floor, and upper floors dedicated to temporary exhibitions of African Art. The topmost floor houses a series of works, the fruits of my engagements with artists, collectors, and gallery owners from around the globe.

The design of the museum pays homage to the centuries-old local architecture, with armed concrete pillars supporting a structure capped with a 10-meter-high gable and a double-pyramid roof. To protect against the elements, the walls are adorned with mosaics, further embellished by emblems and symbols from my artistic universe.

The Bandjoun Station Museum is not merely a museum; it is a gateway to an ideal world. It's a place where, in the words of Nietzsche as quoted by Albert Camus, "the judge will not rule anymore but the creator will, be he a worker or an intellectual." It is a sanctuary for poets, filmmakers, photographers, musicians, singers, dancers, and researchers, ensuring that creativity is not confined to any single form.

This cultural centre, far from the risk of ghettoization, is an open invitation to curious young visitors and art enthusiasts, regardless of their race or nationality. It is a testament to the power of creativity and the enduring legacy of African Art.

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