Mr. George and Mr. Shareef took us on a field trip to a museum exhibition by a local Beninese artist, Romuald Hazoumé.   The artist works in Porto Novo and resides in Cotonou.  The museum  - Fondation Zinsou – celebrated its 10^th anniversary.  Romuald Hazoumé had the first exhibit there and guaranteed he would make an exhibition every decade.  The exhibit was named Aré, which is a name in Yoruba that means someone who goes around the world declaring their culture with their art works.  I was stimulated by the artist’s creativity by the use of plastic bottles to construct his art.

We were first met by our guide who only spoke French.  Abigael Meto and Tola Gaba translated for those who didn’t understand French.  There were many pieces of art, but my treasured sculpture at the museum is The Crashing Politic Wheel.  The big wheel symbolizes the strong and powerful politicians who are crushing the population.  The message I acquired is that you shouldn’t do bad things to people because one day you may be at their place suffering.

After that, we were taken to the workshop by our guide.  It was a woman from Cameroon who helped us to make belts.  They were made out of plastics, beads and a cord.  I really liked what I had created, so I gave it as a gift to my mother. 

At the end we returned back to school with Mr. George.  I learned more about recycling because the artist recycled plastic to construct all of his sculptures.  I had a very nice day and enjoyed this wonderful outing.  I highly recommend it to you.

By: Mariam Chadare, Year 7

We had a field trip to see an art exhibition at Fondation Zinsou.  When we arrived, we saw Aré written on the wall, which our guide explained was the name of the art exhibit by local artist, Romuald Hazoumé.  The name came from Yoruba, which means an artist who expresses his culture wherever he goes.  I will recount three of my favourite pieces and share my opinion on them.

Our guide instructed us to look outside at the panorama of a road in Abomey-Calavi, where they sell petrol that they smuggle from Nigeria.  He also explained that the government is trying to stop that.  However, the artist, Mr. Hazoumé, stated that three things should be done before doing such.  He stated that they should provide jobs, that there should be a petrol station every 500 metres and there should be enough petrol in the country.  He then showed us the Egun-gun, which was made out of the big bottles that they use to smuggle the petrol.  They had really vibrant colours.  The guide explained that through the Egun-gun dancing the dancer is able to communicate with the people.

We then continued to the first floor where we saw a big wheel made out of the top of the bottle which represented the big politicians on the top and the population at the bottom.  We then saw a corner that had a lot of petrol bottles and some in the middle.  This means that it is an assembly and the population is around the politicians in a semi-circle.

We concluded the tour with the art workshop.  Our art teacher was from Cameroon, who taught us how to make belts out of a string plastic and beads.  In my opinion, the field trip was fun and educational, as I got to learn more about Beninese culture and how creative the artist was.

By: Thandolwethu Zwane, Year 9

I went to an art exhibit which was at Fondation Zinsou in Cotonou.  I learned about an artist called Romuald Hazoumé.  I had never seen a sculpture that was made out of fuel bottles.  It was quite amazing.  After that we went to the art workshop and we created a belt made from beads, plastic and thread.  One of my favourite sculptures was of a wheel that represented the government crashing onto the population.  I was inspired today, and if I were to create a piece of art or sculpture I will name it Net Fomuldo.

I liked the exhibit because I learned more things about sculptures and art.  I will return back from time to time.

By: Yaw Agyeman, Year 6

“I enjoyed my field trip and learned a lot of new things about Benin’s culture and saw many pretty things.  It is a field trip I will never forget.”  - Jerusha Issac, Year 8

“Discovering a new part of my life made me feel very excited and happy.  I discovered many things about my country which I probably didn’t know for years.  If I see the Beninese artist, Romuald Hazoumé, I will thank him for that.”  - Cyrian Kedowide, Year 8