Eric Adé Tanauh, a 28-year-old Ivorian artist and graphic designer, has created a unique vision of alien-like characters he calls “Humaliens.” Combining elements of human and extraterrestrial features, Tanauh’s artwork has become part of a larger art movement known as Afrofuturism. This aesthetic draws inspiration from African and diaspora cultures as well as science fiction, which has recently seen a resurgence of popularity thanks to the success of the 2018 film “Black Panther.” As an art director at a local advertising agency in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Tanauh has a degree in graphic design and uses Photoshop to manipulate photographs of models. He was able to learn most of his photography skills from YouTube tutorials. Tanauh’s pseudonym, Rickii Ly, is derived from a nickname he had in school plus a Senegalese name he likes. “I think Rickii Ly is different from Eric,” he said. “He is my creative alter ego. With this, I get into the skin of this character, I am much more inspired.” Tanauh was unaware of the Afrofuturism art movement until he saw other artists posting similar work with the hashtag on Instagram. “I clicked and discovered a community of artists. I was amazed and got a boost of inspiration. I was now sure that it was what I wanted to do.” Tanauh’s artwork strives to push the boundaries of creativity and art, exploring the possibilities of a futuristic world.
“A much more evolved extension of our species”
Inspired by Instagram poet Rune Lazuli, Tanauh has taken the term Humaliens (Half Human, Half Cosmos) to a new level with his own artistic interpretation. He envisions them as a more evolved species living in a nearby galaxy and has been documenting their life on Earth through imagery. Tanauh also draws inspiration from other artists, such as British photographer Juno Calypso and American filmmaker Wes Anderson, incorporating their unique styles into his work. The African woman is a prominent figure in Tanauh’s artwork, serving as a symbol of life, kindness, grace, and beauty. He believes that women are more diverse than men, and thus provides more exploration possibilities with clothing, hairstyles, and makeup. Tanauh has participated in several exhibitions, including the 2019 Yale Africa Film Festival and the Naughton Gallery in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2021. He also aspires to create an animated film featuring the Humaliens. Ultimately, Tanauh hopes to pursue his art full time and share his vision with more people. He is driven to push boundaries and use art as a medium to express his own story. He believes that there are still many stories to be told, and that he can shape his art in a way that corresponds to his unique vision. With his ambitious goals in mind, he looks forward to sharing his artwork with the world.
Inspired by Instagram poet Rune Lazuli, Tanauh has taken the term Humaliens (Half Human, Half Cosmos) to a new level with his own artistic interpretation. He envisions them as a more evolved species living in a nearby galaxy and has been documenting their life on Earth through imagery. Tanauh also draws inspiration from other artists, such as British photographer Juno Calypso and American filmmaker Wes Anderson, incorporating their unique styles into his work.
The African woman is a prominent figure in Tanauh’s artwork, serving as a symbol of life, kindness, grace, and beauty. He believes that women are more diverse than men, and thus provides more exploration possibilities with clothing, hairstyles, and makeup. Tanauh has participated in several exhibitions, including the 2019 Yale Africa Film Festival and the Naughton Gallery in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2021. He also aspires to create an animated film featuring the Humaliens.
Ultimately, Tanauh hopes to pursue his art full time and share his vision with more people. He is driven to push boundaries and use art as a medium to express his own story. He believes that there are still many stories to be told, and that he can shape his art in a way that corresponds to his unique vision. With his ambitious goals in mind, he looks forward to sharing his artwork with the world.
