Category: Artist Interviews & Studio Visits
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Magatte Touré: Challenging Perceptions through Artistic Advocacy
As part of our What is Art? series, we are delighted to show the vision of Magatte Touré, a visual artist whose work is deeply intertwined with life and creativity. Graduating from the Fine Arts School of Dakar in 2005, Magatte Touré also serves as a specialized educator at the Aminata Mbaye Center in Dakar,…
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Diama Thiam: From Biochemist to Multi-Talented Artist | What is Art? Series
Diama Thiam, a 33-year-old biochemist turned multi-talented artist, is the creator of the brand Ndati. Diama bridges the gap between science and creativity, excelling in fashion design, photography, and painting. In our exclusive interview, she shares her story of resilience, from working in a biomedical lab during the Covid-19 pandemic to finding solace and expression…
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Momar Seck: Sculptures and Paintings Embracing Unity and Diversity
We are in a bright garden with tree trunks assembled and slender metal rods. The sculptures, which are raw pieces of wood and rusted metals, stand in a vertical position, pointing up towards the sky like trees or plants in their gesture. Metals shaped like leaves and stylized canoes are attached to the rods, lending…
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Kara Fall: “Music makes me dance on my canvas”
When entering Kara Fall’s studio, a soft jazz melody fills the air. Posters of famous blues and jazz figures adorn the space, along with his keyboard where he plays music between paintings. Fall’s abstract and figurative works, infused with his malian heritage, often bear a touch of jazz, adding a musical and rhythmic dimension to…
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Textiles and Human Identity Reflections | Samuel Nnorom Artworks and Identity Representation
Born in Nigeria in 1990, multi-award-winning artist Samuel Nnorom opened the doors of his studio to Dakartnews shortly before the end of his artistic residency at Black Rock Senegal in Dakar. His artistic journey is deeply rooted in the exploration of metaphors, particularly through his concept of bubbles as symbols of uncertainty and the intricate…
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Defining Art and Beauty: Perspectives from Senegalese Artist Olio
DakartNews had the pleasure of interviewing Omar Lionel Sow, who signs his paintings as Olio, for our “What is Art?” new series, which gives artists a platform to reflect on their artistic practices. Omar is a 55-year-old Senegalese visual artist who welcomed us to his studio in Dakar with the smooth sounds of jazz in…
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Navigating Dual Identities: The Transmedia Creative Worlds of Pap Souleye Fall
DakartNews recently visited Black Rock Senegal, a “multidisciplinary artist-in-residence program founded by renowned artist Kehinde Wiley in 2019.” We had the privilege of meeting Pap Souleye Fall, an artist in residence nearing the end of his tenure. Stepping into his studio is like entering a world where chaos and creativity converge seamlessly. Papers mingle with cement…
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Abdias Ngateu: Portraying Urban Life and Societal Dynamics in Cameroon
Abdias Ngateu, a contemporary artist based in Douala, Cameroon, immerses us in a pictorial universe where humans and animals intertwine in a metaphorical dance rich in symbolism and social critique. His artistic journey, beginning in graphic arts and transitioning into plastic arts, reflects a constant evolution and a quest for meaning deeply rooted in the…
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Ina Thiam: The Visual Storyteller Redefining Empowerment
Meet Ina Thiam, a groundbreaking Senegalese photographer and artistic manager whose journey from economics student to influential visual storyteller is nothing short of inspiring. Born Ndeye Fatou Thiam in Dakar, Ina’s passion for capturing powerful narratives through her lens has made her a significant figure in the world of urban culture and beyond. After joining…
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How Alioune Diagne Forged the “Figuro Abstro” Style: His Journey from Senegal to the Venice Biennale
Alioune Diagne, creator of the figuro-abstro artistic movement, combines abstraction and figuration in his work. A native of Senegal, he is representing his country at the Venice Biennale for the first time. Dakartnews met the 39-year-old artist and father of 3. He reveals the inner workings of his creative process. His canvases, imbued with symbolism…
Bridging Africa and The World Through Contemporary Art 