Abstract
Souleymane Balde, an embroidery artist from Guinea, left his hometown in 2014 to travel across Africa in an illegal journey to France. At his arrival at his final destination, he managed to express himself and pay tribute to his travel companion in a series of fourteen paintings made of paint and embroidery. This creation was the best way of curing and relieving himself, and of finding reconciliation with his past and suffering. The series is called My Stations of the Cross or Via Crucis, since it is the artist’s intention to simulate the catholic images of Christ’s death, and thus reflect on the meaning of suffering, symbolism, resurrection, and art. In this article we will explain Souleymane’s life and work, and then will analyze the main symbols and meanings in his paintings.

Keywords:
immigration, journey, embroidery art, Souleymane Balde, France.