Of all the things I expected to find in Benin, a 30-foot spaceman wasn’t on my list. He stares back at me against a riot of colour, looking almost as surprised to see me as I am him.
The mural is part of Africa’s largest street art wall, the Marina Boulev’art, in Benin’s largest city, Cotonou. Unveiled in 2024, currently there are depictions of Benin’s history and ambitions for the future from 40 local and diaspora artists. It’s nearly a kilometre long and continues to grow with serious, satirical and playful creations. One mural shows locals embracing across religious divides; another splits an ancient mask open to reveal the serene face of a teenage girl.
