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Njé Mo Yé

Njé Mo Yé is a permanent sculpture in Douala, Cameroon, by Koko Komégné, inaugurated in 2007 during the Salon Urbain de Douala SUD. Its name means “what is that?” in the Douala language. Made from painted iron tubes, the work represents and magnifies the couple. Komégné, who lived from 1966 to 1984 in the Nkololoun neighborhood at Dernier poteau, offered the sculpture on this site as a gesture of gratitude to the area where he grew up. In 2013, the Douala urban community funded its restoration and repainting after a car accident damaged the work. It is classified as a monumental installation.

Njé Mo Yé, a bright red abstract sculpture with geometric lines and two stylized figures, stands on a concrete base beside a busy street.
Njé Mo Yé, a large red abstract sculpture, stands along an urban street in Douala.
December 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Njé Mo Yé, a large red geometric metal sculpture with two stylized heads, stands in a busy street setting.
Njé Mo Yé in Douala, shown here as a vivid red geometric sculpture amid traffic and pedestrians.
December 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Njé Mo Yé, a large red abstract metal sculpture with two head-like forms on top.
Njé Mo Yé, a bright red abstract sculpture installed in an urban street setting.
December 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Njé Mo Yé red iron sculpture rising above a busy street with people, motorbikes, and buildings nearby.
Njé Mo Yé, a vivid red abstract iron sculpture, stands in an urban street scene in Douala.
December 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Njé Mo Yé, a tall abstract sculpture on a street median with light-colored beams, red accents, and stylized upper forms, surrounded by pedestrians and traffic.
Njé Mo Yé stands on a street median amid city traffic and pedestrians in Douala.
December 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleNjé Mo Yé
TypePermanent sculpture

Historical context

Inauguration year2007
Inauguration eventSalon Urbain de Douala (SUD) 2007

Creator

ArtistKoko Komégné

Discovery and provenance

Commissioned byDoual'art
Artist's connection to the siteKoko Komégné lived in Dernier Poteau, Nkololoun from 1966 to 1984 and created the sculpture there as a gesture of gratitude for his childhood neighborhood

Physical characteristics

Pipe diameter12 centimetres
Width2.5 metres
Height5 metres

Materials

MaterialPainted iron tubes

Appearance

FormOversized abstract representation of a human couple

Iconography and meaning

SubjectThe couple
Title meaning"What is that?" in the Douala language

Location and ownership

LocationDernier Poteau, Nkololoun, Douala, Cameroon
Site significanceIn the artist's memory, the site marked the edge of the city at the time

History and restoration

DamageDamaged in a car accident in 2013
RestorationRestored and repainted in 2013, financed by the Municipality of Douala