African contemporary art finds a home in Benin

The Fondation Zinsou museum of contemporary African art opened in Ouidah, Benin, in November 2013. The museum occupies the Villa Ajavon, a fine example of the Afro-Brazilian style, built in 1922
Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou

A group of schoolchildren visit the museum in Ouidah. The Fondation Zinsou initially established an exhibition c­entre in ­Cotonou, the largest city in Benin. Over the next eight years it welcomed 4 million visitors, starting with schoolchildren and followed by their parents. At the same time the foundation built up a collection of African art. About a 10th of this trove now occupies the new museum for its inaugural show Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou

A group of students look at artwork in the Bruly Bouabré room. Two generations appear side-by-side for the opening exhibition. Among the former group, which won international recognition more than 20 years ago, are the Ivorian artist Frédéric Bruly Bouabré (born 1923), known for his drawings depicting myths and fables Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou

The Cyprien Tokoudagba room at the Fondation Zinsou museum of contemporary African art. Tokoudagba, who died in 2012, is well represented at Ouidah, with several spectacular large, multicoloured sculptures recalling Vodun (voodoo) myths in the streets of the town or its sacred forest Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou

A second generation of contemporary African artists emerged in the 1960s. Three from Benin – Aston, Kifouli Dossou and Romuald Hazoumé – are joined by the Congolese painter Chéri Samba, the Cameroonian photographer Samuel Fosso and the Senegalese painter and sketcher Soly Cissé. Here visitors look at artwork in the Aston room Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou

The Kifouli Dossou room in Ouidah, Benin. A gifted sculptor, Dossou has ­reworked an ancient model, the Guelede mask, which belongs to Yoruba and Nora tradition. The head proper is topped by an often elaborate crest, but Dossou brings in scenes from everyday life such as road accidents, gangsters settling scores and farming
Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou

The Romuald Hazoumé room at the Villa Ajavon. Hazoumé’s photographs and jerry-can masks have appeared in museums and books and play on the complex relationship between contemporary artists and traditional art forms Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou

The Cameroonian photographer Samuel Fosso also has a dedicated room at the museum, featuring his trademark self-portraits Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou

A room dedicated to the work of Belgian photographer Jean-Dominique Burton Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou

A group of students examine the work of British visual artist and photographer Bruce Clarke. Works by 14 artists are currently on show at the Fondation Zinsou museum of contemporary African art in the Villa Ajavon in Ouidah, Benin. There are plans for regular changes drawing on the foundation’s reserves. Photograph: Jean-Dominique Burton/Fondation Zinsou