Vaco Baissac

Born in Mauritius in 1940, Vaco Baissac emerged as one of the island's most celebrated artists, renowned for his vibrant portrayals of Mauritian life, landscapes, and culture. He held his first exhibition at the age of 18 in Mauritius (1958), followed by a second in Réunion Island (1960).

From 1964 to 1970 he studied in Brussels and Paris, at the Académie Royale de Bruxelles and the Beaux-Arts. After completing his studies, he spent twenty years living and working in Africa before returning to Mauritius in 1990, where he opened a studio in Grand Baie and, in 1998, his own gallery.

His work is widely recognised for its aesthetic metaphors of islands, sun, and light, blending naturalistic imagery with cubist and kaleidoscopic influences. A proud Creole artist, he often described his practice as 'painting in Creole.'

He represented Mauritius at international exhibitions including the 90th Salon d'Automne in Paris (1993), the ARTE92 Gallery in Milan (2003), and private exhibitions in Hong Kong and Geneva (2008). His artworks were selected on several occasions as official diplomatic gifts, including one presented to Pope Francis. He continued creating from his studio in Grand Baie until his passing in February 2023, and was posthumously honoured as Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.