Amid export ban, Benin artist turns scrap metal into prized sculptures

In a small gallery in Cotonou, Benin, metal sculptures of international renown adorn the walls, telling stories of construction and balance through recycled materials. These are the creations of Charly d’Almeida, a metal sculptor who has been transforming scrap into art for the past 15 years. His work, deeply influenced by African culture and Voodoo traditions, is regularly exhibited across Europe, Africa, and the United States.