Ouattara Watts, creates monumental mixed-media paintings layered with vibrant colors, symbols, textiles, photographs, and spiritual iconography that bridge West African heritage with Western avant-garde traditions. Soon after moving to Paris in the 1980s, Watts met Jean-Michel Basquiat, who became both friend and collaborator—introducing him to the New York art world and encouraging his first U.S. exhibitions. Watts has since shown at major institutions including the Whitney Biennial, the Venice Biennale, Documenta 11 in Kassel, the National Museum of African Art, and MoMA.