Help with Hospital Costs and Wake Up Call!
Donation protected
An Artist with Wake Up Call to Heal the Tree of Life now needs help with hospital and rehabilitation costs!
In September 2020 Jean Michel Dissake was assaulted leaving him with serious injuries. He has been in a hospital in Yaounde for more than three months where he continues to receive treatment. Your contribution will help Jean Michel with hospital costs and rehabilitation and help to sustain Mudiki Free Visual Arts Laboratory.
In Cameroon, a young artist who spent nine years in an ancient forest learning directly from nature has profound messages for humans conveyed through his artwork and teachings and a call for Love, Unity and the ‘Rebirth of Nature.’
Meet Jean Michel Dissake, Contemporary Artist, Sculptor & Ecological Economist.
Jean Michel is a 37 year old multimedia artist, a hidden philosopher, and director of modern mythological theater with one resounding message for the West and the World - "WE MUST HEAL THE TREE OF LIFE!"
We are aware of many environmental crises and the effects of climate change are upon us. The Amazon is burning and forests around the world are being destroyed, threatening ecosystems and the planet's ability to capture carbon. The extinction rate for animals and insects has reached a crisis point and all of life on our planet is endangered. Our rhythm these days is starting to feel foreign because of the pandemic.
Artist Jean Michel Dissake is calling on humans to WAKE UP! - Mother Earth is crying because Biodiversity is being destroyed and Ecosystems are dying on our watch!
Imagine meeting an artist who spoke as if Nature itself was speaking. The culture of ceremony, knowledge of our connection with nature, honoring trees and forests, animals, insects, the air and water, are all communicated through his teaching and his powerful works.
Africa News describes Jean Michel's art as “new sculptural forms and an ecological discourse.”
Jean Michel grew up in Yaounde, Cameroon and spent much time with his grandparents in a village in NW Cameroon exploring the forests around the village. In addition to his early education Jean Michel attended school to learn African cultural traditions and ceremony. He attended Yaounde University studying Economics but left the university after 2 years to live in an ancient forest near his grandfather's village in NW Cameroon.
For 9 years Jean Michel lived in the forest where he learned directly from Mother Nature. There he began to understand the true value of trees and nature, humans’ relationship and responsibility, and his mission as an artist.
Returning to Yaounde he began to make art using found and recycled materials.
With an unprecedented optimism for humanity and the earth, Jean Michel’s work speaks about oneness within a living organism of the “Sacred Forest” that is Mother Earth and each other. “The sacred forest is both inside and outside ourselves. Everything is linked,” says the artist, "we must find the balance between Nature and Technology."
A self-taught artist Jean Michel understands the principles of design and applies them to his work along with heart-felt knowledge of humans and nature. In his sculptures, many as large as 25 feet wide and 14 feet high, he uses recycled materials - computer boards, license plates, wire and metals from electronic devices which represent the 'color' and 'vibration' of the local people and culture, mixed with natural objects such as textiles, palm fronds, flowers and termite dust, sometimes framed with his signature vines.
Even without access to sophisticated welding materials each piece in Michel’s collection is honing directly into the vibration of juxtaposition and symbol of his story. His urgent and authentic message to humans speak through symbols in the works - respect and restore nature and heal the Tree of Life; wake up to the understanding we must live in harmony with each other and nature. Even the smallest insects have much to teach us.
Jean Michel realizes that humans have harnessed technology and he respects rather than resists it. He also sees that we’re destroying the natural world. Technology and nature live in his art in the same conflict and harmony as they do in reality - reflecting the colors of our urban cities, nations, and societies connected by the vine, a major symbol in his sculpture.
The performance transmits Jean Michel’s essential wisdom, to restore nature and our relationship with each other, “so that nature will let us live,” as Jean Michel explains.
Jean Michel was invited for a 2 week teaching residency at the Gregg Museum and NC State University in 2019 where he taught and worked with students to create and exhibit sculptures. An exhibition of Jean Michel’s works is planned for 2022 at the Gregg Museum at NC State University.
In the performance 'The Rebirth of Nature' everything is sacred. Performers and audiences alike join together to access the spiritual world through interconnectedness. These live segments feature the Earth elements - fire, music, fighting, singing, dancing, planting small trees in forest, peace. A student made fashion using rubber from tires & wire and used these pieces as costumes. The performance art is also teaching girls and boys how to sew, dance, and create experimental music at his studio - Mudiki Free Laboratory of Visual Arts - where Dissake mentors interns in art, nature, experimental design, as a community outreach - free of charge.
The performance is a modern myth telling the story of the destruction and restoration of nature where spirits and ancestors come to teach humans about our interdependence and need to heal. A documentary about Jean Michel's work and performance 'The Rebirth of Nature' is being produced.
As Vandorn Hinnant, artist and friend of Jean Michel, puts it, "What Cameroonian artist Jean Michel Dissake brings us are visual stories in alignment with ancient Shamanic traditions.... The Spirit of Nature, the forest, The Divine Feminine, are all embodied in these hand-crafted meditations. The artist, having surrendered to The ART Spirit, delivers again and again whispers, shouts, screams - all declarative statements asking us to awaken and become engaged with our destiny in conscious, deliberate, intentional, and proactive ways."
What is clear is that Jean Michel has a global message for humans and the next generation eager to learn from him. Together, Jean Michel’s art and teaching impart a visceral, internal knowing integrating cultural roots of Africa and ancient indigenous wisdom with the imprint of modern technology.
Jean Michel's sculptures have been exhibited and sold in various venues in Africa, Europe and the US. Jean Michel's sculptures have won awards and gained media attention. A large scale solo exhibition of Jean Michel’s works is planned for 2022 at the Gregg Museum at NC State University.
Jean Michel describes Mudiki Studio here: https://vimeo.com/user6672670/review/425988734/70085347f5
Interview with Frank Stasio on WUNC 'The State of Things' in February, 2019:
https://www.wunc.org/post/after-nine-years-forest-sculptor-s-work-melds-technology-and-nature
For more information and for contact see Jean Michel Dissake Art on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DissakeArt
In your Promise to Answer his Call, you are:
- Covering Jean Michel Dissake’s immediate medical expenses
- Giving hope to the students and interns currently doing work at Mudiki Studio and those seeking mentorship from Jean Michel in NC, USA and beyond
- Opening up a heart connection between yourself and Jean Michel Dissake to expand the collective consciousness
Mudiki Free Laboratory of Visual Arts, Jean Michel's Studio in Yaounde
In September 2020 Jean Michel Dissake was assaulted leaving him with serious injuries. He has been in a hospital in Yaounde for more than three months where he continues to receive treatment. Your contribution will help Jean Michel with hospital costs and rehabilitation and help to sustain Mudiki Free Visual Arts Laboratory.
In Cameroon, a young artist who spent nine years in an ancient forest learning directly from nature has profound messages for humans conveyed through his artwork and teachings and a call for Love, Unity and the ‘Rebirth of Nature.’
Meet Jean Michel Dissake, Contemporary Artist, Sculptor & Ecological Economist.
Jean Michel is a 37 year old multimedia artist, a hidden philosopher, and director of modern mythological theater with one resounding message for the West and the World - "WE MUST HEAL THE TREE OF LIFE!" We are aware of many environmental crises and the effects of climate change are upon us. The Amazon is burning and forests around the world are being destroyed, threatening ecosystems and the planet's ability to capture carbon. The extinction rate for animals and insects has reached a crisis point and all of life on our planet is endangered. Our rhythm these days is starting to feel foreign because of the pandemic.
Artist Jean Michel Dissake is calling on humans to WAKE UP! - Mother Earth is crying because Biodiversity is being destroyed and Ecosystems are dying on our watch!
Imagine meeting an artist who spoke as if Nature itself was speaking. The culture of ceremony, knowledge of our connection with nature, honoring trees and forests, animals, insects, the air and water, are all communicated through his teaching and his powerful works.Africa News describes Jean Michel's art as “new sculptural forms and an ecological discourse.”
Jean Michel grew up in Yaounde, Cameroon and spent much time with his grandparents in a village in NW Cameroon exploring the forests around the village. In addition to his early education Jean Michel attended school to learn African cultural traditions and ceremony. He attended Yaounde University studying Economics but left the university after 2 years to live in an ancient forest near his grandfather's village in NW Cameroon.
For 9 years Jean Michel lived in the forest where he learned directly from Mother Nature. There he began to understand the true value of trees and nature, humans’ relationship and responsibility, and his mission as an artist.
Returning to Yaounde he began to make art using found and recycled materials.
With an unprecedented optimism for humanity and the earth, Jean Michel’s work speaks about oneness within a living organism of the “Sacred Forest” that is Mother Earth and each other. “The sacred forest is both inside and outside ourselves. Everything is linked,” says the artist, "we must find the balance between Nature and Technology." A self-taught artist Jean Michel understands the principles of design and applies them to his work along with heart-felt knowledge of humans and nature. In his sculptures, many as large as 25 feet wide and 14 feet high, he uses recycled materials - computer boards, license plates, wire and metals from electronic devices which represent the 'color' and 'vibration' of the local people and culture, mixed with natural objects such as textiles, palm fronds, flowers and termite dust, sometimes framed with his signature vines.
Even without access to sophisticated welding materials each piece in Michel’s collection is honing directly into the vibration of juxtaposition and symbol of his story. His urgent and authentic message to humans speak through symbols in the works - respect and restore nature and heal the Tree of Life; wake up to the understanding we must live in harmony with each other and nature. Even the smallest insects have much to teach us.
Jean Michel realizes that humans have harnessed technology and he respects rather than resists it. He also sees that we’re destroying the natural world. Technology and nature live in his art in the same conflict and harmony as they do in reality - reflecting the colors of our urban cities, nations, and societies connected by the vine, a major symbol in his sculpture.
The performance transmits Jean Michel’s essential wisdom, to restore nature and our relationship with each other, “so that nature will let us live,” as Jean Michel explains.
Jean Michel was invited for a 2 week teaching residency at the Gregg Museum and NC State University in 2019 where he taught and worked with students to create and exhibit sculptures. An exhibition of Jean Michel’s works is planned for 2022 at the Gregg Museum at NC State University.
In the performance 'The Rebirth of Nature' everything is sacred. Performers and audiences alike join together to access the spiritual world through interconnectedness. These live segments feature the Earth elements - fire, music, fighting, singing, dancing, planting small trees in forest, peace. A student made fashion using rubber from tires & wire and used these pieces as costumes. The performance art is also teaching girls and boys how to sew, dance, and create experimental music at his studio - Mudiki Free Laboratory of Visual Arts - where Dissake mentors interns in art, nature, experimental design, as a community outreach - free of charge.
The performance is a modern myth telling the story of the destruction and restoration of nature where spirits and ancestors come to teach humans about our interdependence and need to heal. A documentary about Jean Michel's work and performance 'The Rebirth of Nature' is being produced.As Vandorn Hinnant, artist and friend of Jean Michel, puts it, "What Cameroonian artist Jean Michel Dissake brings us are visual stories in alignment with ancient Shamanic traditions.... The Spirit of Nature, the forest, The Divine Feminine, are all embodied in these hand-crafted meditations. The artist, having surrendered to The ART Spirit, delivers again and again whispers, shouts, screams - all declarative statements asking us to awaken and become engaged with our destiny in conscious, deliberate, intentional, and proactive ways."What is clear is that Jean Michel has a global message for humans and the next generation eager to learn from him. Together, Jean Michel’s art and teaching impart a visceral, internal knowing integrating cultural roots of Africa and ancient indigenous wisdom with the imprint of modern technology.
Jean Michel's sculptures have been exhibited and sold in various venues in Africa, Europe and the US. Jean Michel's sculptures have won awards and gained media attention. A large scale solo exhibition of Jean Michel’s works is planned for 2022 at the Gregg Museum at NC State University. Jean Michel describes Mudiki Studio here: https://vimeo.com/user6672670/review/425988734/70085347f5
Interview with Frank Stasio on WUNC 'The State of Things' in February, 2019:
https://www.wunc.org/post/after-nine-years-forest-sculptor-s-work-melds-technology-and-nature
For more information and for contact see Jean Michel Dissake Art on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DissakeArt
In your Promise to Answer his Call, you are:
- Covering Jean Michel Dissake’s immediate medical expenses
- Giving hope to the students and interns currently doing work at Mudiki Studio and those seeking mentorship from Jean Michel in NC, USA and beyond
- Opening up a heart connection between yourself and Jean Michel Dissake to expand the collective consciousness
Mudiki Free Laboratory of Visual Arts, Jean Michel's Studio in YaoundeOrganizer
Marriott Sheldon
Organizer
Wendell, NC
