Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Ouattara Watts studied at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He later relocated to the United States, where he developed a practice that bridges diverse cultural and aesthetic traditions.

His work is characterized by the use of mixed media, often incorporating found objects, collage, and symbolic imagery to explore the intersection of modernity and ancestral heritage. His compositions frequently feature complex, layered surfaces that reflect his interest in music, mathematics, and global spiritual systems.

Watts has achieved significant international recognition, with his paintings held in major museum collections. His career has been marked by a consistent focus on the dialogue between disparate visual languages, establishing him as a prominent figure in contemporary painting.