Transcendence Through Art: Symbols of Life Exhibition

Presented as part of the OFF program of Dakar’s Biennale of Contemporary African Art, the Symbols of Life: Beyond Perception exhibition invites us to explore the depths of human connection and the spiritual essence that unites us. In partnership with CARAVAN Arts, this exhibition brings together artists Tidiane Ndongo and Djibril Coulibaly, whose work offers a transformative journey into shared humanity and transcendence. Running from November 7 to December 7, 2024, at Hôtel Le Djoloff in Dakar, this unique event aims to bridge cultures, inspire new perspectives, and foster a global conversation through the universal language of art.

We are pleased to share the statement below by Paul Chandler, President of CARAVAN Arts, celebrating the transformative power of the arts.

“I realized…that painting…has the power to reveal to ourselves our secret humanity,” writes David Diop, the Booker Prize winning Senegalese-French novelist, at the end of his moving novel, Beyond the Door of No Return. These words resonate deeply with this inspiring exhibition, SYMBOLS OF LIFE: Beyond Perception – An Artistic Exploration of the Human Soul. CARAVAN Arts is honored to be in partnership with this creative initiative in our dedication to building bridges through the arts. We believe art can transform lives and communities. Our experience around the world has shown us that the arts can serve as one of the most effective mediums to enhance understanding, bring about respect, and deepen relationships between diverse peoples, cultures and spiritual traditions. Our name reflects our mission to facilitate reframing perceptions of the “other” by journeying together through the arts.

This exceptional exhibition features two remarkable artists whose work enhances our experience and understanding of each other and the transcendent. Tidiane Ndongo and Djibril Coulibaly brilliantly embody our vision of seeing the arts play a strategic role in transforming our world; they touch the spiritual dimension of our human existence. Art is a universal language that has the ability to dissolve the differences that divide us. As long as division has torn apart the human family, art has offered a mode of reconciliation and wholeness. As evident in this exhibition, artistic initiatives, by their very nature, are “encounter points,” bringing people together from different backgrounds who might otherwise remain apart, deepening understanding across cultures and spiritual traditions.

Hafez, the 14th century Persian mystic-poet, wisely wrote, “Art is the conversation…. an opening for the heart.” This exhibition is an invitation into conversation, with the “other,” and within ourselves. It explores some the most profound aspects of our shared humanity. In so doing, it furthers our global quest for a more harmonious future, both with each other and with the earth. The transcendent dimension of this exhibition echoes the words of Senegal’s first president, Leopold Sedar Senghor, “Art is animated by invisible forces that rule the universe.” These artists, through their distinct spirituality, lead us into life’s deeper dimension. Their work has the power to impact us at a subconscious level, guiding us into new ways of being. Their art invites us to re-imagine ourselves, our situations, and our internal narratives, reminding us of what makes us most human.

By Paul G. Chandler, President, CARAVAN Arts

Exhibition Catalog available for Download

Meet Tidiane Ndongo & Djibril Coulibaly in their Studios

Tidiane Ndongo, Siby, Mali 

Djibril Coulibaly, Dakar, Senegal