Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Koko Maria

Name Class Date

samuel dambrosio, Koko Maria (2020), FUEL Project. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist
samuel dambrosio wikioo.org/en/artists/samuel-dambrosio/
Artist’s dates
1990 – ?
Painted
2020
Held at
FUEL Project wikioo.org/en/museums/fuel-project-unknown/

In context

Koko Maria — samuel dambrosio

When was this painted?

  1. 1990
  2. 2000
  3. 2010
  4. 2020

Shaded: the lifetime of samuel dambrosio (1990–?) ▲ this work, 2020

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wikioo.org/en/art/similar/samuel-dambrosio-koko-maria-D8H33K-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Putty #e4e1df

    Catalogued palette

    • #E4E1DF
    • #996967
    • #C6B5BE
    • #911F1D
    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Putty
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Softly Mixed Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    About this artwork

    Koko Maria — samuel dambrosio

    Koko Maria is one of the oldest beaders at Sidai Designs in Arusha, Tanzania. She is wearing traditional Maasai collar on her neck. Maasai women wear collars on a more regular basis for dancing. These collars are generally larger in diameter. As the woman dances, she uses a particular motion to make the collars fly up and down.Sidai Designs collaborates with Maasai women in Tanzania to create handmade contemporary jewellery and homewares. Their mission is to preserve age-old African beading tradition, work to create sustainable jobs and economic opportunities for Maasai women, and produce unique pieces that blend beading customs with a contemporary aesthetic. In the third edition of the Wise Wall Project, we are collaborating with the culturally rich and one of the oldest communitys in the world, the Maasai community, in Arusha, Tanzania, in partnership with Vikram Solar Ltd., Vijana Inspiring Foundation, Lions Club of Dar es Salaam and Arusha City, and Google Arts and Culture. Along with building an on-ground community centre and museum for the community, we are bringing an exclusive insight into the life, lifestyle and learnings from this inspiring community.The Wise Wall Project is an initiative of Project FUEL that aims to document, design and strengthen the wisdom of rural communities and marginalised villages using art and community outreach programmes. The arts lead the way to raise support for the challenges these villages face today like migration, quality education and access to basic amenities like water and roads.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    samuel dambrosio

    Born in Percy, France

    Samuel Dambrosio: Bridging Music and Photography Through Tanzanian Eyes

    Samuel Dambrosio, known professionally as sam vox, is a French artist born in Percy in 1990 who seamlessly blends musical creativity with captivating photographic storytelling. His artistic journey began in France but found its true resonance in Tanzania, where he currently resides and serves as an ambassador for Lightroom and a member of Everyday Africa—a collective dedicated to documenting authentic African experiences. This dual passion informs his distinctive visual language, capturing both the beauty of Tanzanian landscapes and the nuanced portraits of its people with remarkable sensitivity.

    Musical Roots: Dambrosio’s musical foundation lies in the vibrant French variety style, characterized by energetic rhythms and heartfelt lyrics. He has released two singles, ‘accroche toi’ (hold on) and ‘beauté du ciel’ (beauty of the sky), demonstrating his ability to convey emotion through sound.

    Photographic Vision: His photographic work focuses primarily on Tanzania, portraying everyday life with an eye for detail and capturing moments that reveal the soul of African culture. He utilizes Lightroom extensively, mastering its tools to achieve stunning visual results.

    Early Influences & Artistic Development

    While biographical details about Dambrosio’s formative years remain relatively sparse, his artistic sensibilities clearly indicate an appreciation for storytelling and observation—skills honed through a lifelong fascination with music and photography. His dedication to capturing genuine human connection is evident in his portraits, which strive to portray subjects with honesty and empathy. The influence of contemporary visual artists who prioritize narrative and emotional resonance likely played a role in shaping his aesthetic preferences.

    Notable Artwork & Photographic Projects

    Dambrosio’s artistic output includes striking photographic pieces like “A young woman wearing traditional Maasai jewellery,” “Dance of the collar,” and “Koko Maria.” These images showcase his technical prowess—particularly his mastery of atmospheric perspective—and his ability to convey profound emotion through visual composition. His work aligns with a broader trend in contemporary art toward documenting cultural traditions and fostering understanding across borders.

    Collaboration & Recognition

    Dambrosio’s involvement with Everyday Africa underscores his commitment to collaborative storytelling and promoting positive representation of Tanzanian culture. Furthermore, his partnership with Lightroom highlights his embrace of digital tools as instruments for artistic expression. These collaborations demonstrate his openness to engaging with broader creative communities and sharing his vision with a wider audience.

    Historical Significance & Legacy

    Though still emerging as an artist, Samuel Dambrosio’s work contributes to the ongoing dialogue about visual storytelling and cultural representation. By blending music and photography—two distinct artistic mediums—he exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary creativity and offers a fresh perspective on documenting human experience in diverse contexts. His dedication to capturing authentic moments and conveying emotion through both sound and image ensures that his artistic legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

    Museum

    FUEL Project

    On show in Unknown, World

    The Pulse of Innovation

    In an era where the boundaries between the physical and the digital are increasingly blurred, the FUEL Project emerges not merely as a repository for art, but as a living, breathing testament to the transformative power of technological synergy. Unlike the hallowed, silent halls of traditional institutions that seek only to preserve the relics of the past, this project champions a radical reimagining of the museum experience. It is a space where the dialogue between established artistic traditions and cutting-edge innovation creates a profound intellectual stimulation. Here, the viewer is no longer a passive observer standing before a static canvas; instead, they are invited into an immersive ecosystem where art responds to presence, movement, and interaction, fundamentally altering our understanding of what it means to witness creativity.

    A Symphony of New Media and Experimental Form

    The collection within the FUEL Project serves as a mesmerizing window into the future of aesthetic expression. Visitors find themselves enveloped in a landscape where generative art morphs through mathematical precision, creating patterns that feel both organic and algorithmic. The repertoire is vast and daring, ranging from digital paintings that shimmer with light to complex video projections that weave intricate narratives across the gallery walls. One might encounter the tactile unexpectedness of experimental works, such as sculptures crafted from biofabricated textiles or mosaics born from recycled plastics, which challenge our very notions of craftsmanship and beauty. This sensory journey is further deepened by immersive soundscapes and virtual reality experiences that transport the soul to fantastical, unseen realms, ensuring that every visit is a unique encounter with the avant-garde.

    Architecture of Light and Global Connection

    The physical manifestation of the FUEL Project is as fluid and adaptable as the art it houses. Designed to eschew rigid architectural constraints, the space is bathed in natural light, fostering an atmosphere of openness and spontaneous creative dialogue. This architectural fluidity mirrors the project's commitment to a global perspective, acting as a conduit for intercultural understanding by showcasing diverse cultural traditions from around the world. Beyond its walls, the project thrives through community roots, engaging local artisans and educational institutions to ensure that innovation remains grounded in shared human experience. Through dynamic programming—ranging from artist residencies to hands-on workshops—the FUEL Project does more than just showcase art; it actively shapes the future of our collective artistic heritage, acting as a catalyst for growth and a beacon for the next generation of creators.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Koko Maria

    wikioo.org/en/art/download/samuel-dambrosio-koko-maria-D8H33K-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    dambrosio, samuel. Koko Maria. 2020, FUEL Project. https://wikioo.org/en/art/samuel-dambrosio-koko-maria-D8H33K-en/
    APA
    dambrosio, samuel (2020). Koko Maria [Painting]. FUEL Project. https://wikioo.org/en/art/samuel-dambrosio-koko-maria-D8H33K-en/
    Chicago
    samuel dambrosio. Koko Maria. 2020. FUEL Project. https://wikioo.org/en/art/samuel-dambrosio-koko-maria-D8H33K-en/
    Harvard
    dambrosio, samuel (2020) Koko Maria. FUEL Project. Available at: https://wikioo.org/en/art/samuel-dambrosio-koko-maria-D8H33K-en/

    Look closely

    Koko Maria — samuel dambrosio

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Dance of the collar (2020), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. samuel dambrosio was about 30 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.