Simonet Biokou

Simonet Biokou (born 1965) is a contemporary Beninese scrap metal artist.

Simonet Biokou was born on July 7, 1965 in Porto-Novo, Benin.

He comes from a family of blacksmiths who helped him acquire his skills with metal before pursuing art as a career.

He started his journey along with his cousins and fellow scrap metal artists Calixte and Theodore Dakpogan, who at first did not support his decision to become an artist fearing that no one would buy his work.

After seeing interest in his art from a man in the French Embassy who acquired one of his statues, they joined him in using recycled parts to make artworks.

Both the brothers and Biokou were commissioned to contribute statues in Ouidah for Ouidah 92, a festival that brings attention to the African Diaspora in Benin and the slave route.

Biokou is based in Porto Novo, Benin, where Vodun (or Voodoo) is an official religion practiced by 40% of the population.

His creative and symbolic pieces that highlight his cultural heritage have allowed him to become the only contemporary African sculptor exhibited at the Contemporary Art Museum of Liège, Belgium.

He has frequently exhibited in Africa, Europe, and Canada.

A common theme in his artworks is the depiction of professions, like musicians or soldiers, as well as Voodoo spirits and priests.

He utilizes recycled metal from different objects for his sculptures, like bicycle chains, car rims, gears, and screws.

He has also appeared in film, playing himself in the 1998 film Divine Carcasse, in which his character is shown creating a sculpture using car parts.

His works have been featured in major metropolitan museums including the Metropolitan Museum in New York.