Grief alongside Hope Charles Badoue (1987) is a member of the Guere community who live in western Cote d’Ivoire. Fleeing his hometown of Due koue following terrible atrocities, he eventually ended up in Groningen. There, he processes the violence he witnessed in the country of his birth in his work, juxtaposing vibrant colours and dark themes. Pain alongside joy, grief alongside hope. This layered quality lies not only in his choice of subject, but also in his use of materials. Using thick, expressive layers of paint – which he often scratches away – Charles pays tribute to the culture he was forced to leave behind.