Afrofuturism straight out of Côte d'Ivoire: Besides being pretty much fabulous at altering the reality digitally – @rickiily masters dystopian distortion like never seen before in the African Art Scene.

Which artists gave you the most of inspiration throughout life?

The artists who inspire me the most these days are Nadia Lee Cohen, Juno Calypso and Wes Anderson. I’m also impressed with the term "artistic touch“: when an artist creates artwork and you instantly recognize him as author – that’s magic and source of inspiration.

Are there some special people, books or places that fuel your imagination?

Music in all its forms inspires me as well. I am very sensitive to music and the rhythm it

transmits. I don’t have a favorite artist, it’s too complicated to choose.

I can listen to Rap, Rock, Coupé Décalé, Pop – it all depends on my mood at that

moment.

When did you first encounter/create "Afrofuturism"? Tell us more about it.

My beginnings were very different from what I am currently doing, I was looking for

myself. I did everything that came to my mind, from putting pineapples on an egg or creating a bear that flies away with balloons, for example. I just let my mind run free.

As my artistic identity was transmitted in my works, my characters created

themselves through very specific traits and from there I fell naturally into the Afro-futuristic world.

For me art is everywhere, art is plasticine, you take it and you give it a shape that

corresponds to your vision.My love for my continent and for African women inspires me a lot.

For me AfroFuturism is an artistic movement like Cubism or Hyperrealism.

It is a way of representing Africa, African culture in a fairly space like the digital, high tech or

totally abstract world.

Where do you live at the moment and what impact does the location and the people have on

your art?

I live in Ivory Coast, a beautiful and very inspiring country. We have more than 60

ethnic groups. I often do a lot of research on different peoples to draw inspiration from

them – whether it is for hairstyle or clothes, I give it a lot of importance.

What are we going to see next from you?

Maybe a short animated movie with my humaliens – one day?

I don't know really, but now I’m working on my art exhibition, I want it to be very

special. I hope to be able to travel and show in different countries.

What is your all-time favorite dish – and why?

Haha, it’s too complicated for me to choose to be honest, but I think “Garba“ is my go-to-dish.

Garba is a popular Ivorian dish made from cassava semolina, called Attiéké, accompanied by tuna, mainly sold in small street stalls generally run by Hausa men.