National Senegal Exhibition
Curatorship by Koyo Kouoh

Ever since its arrival at the African continent, near the end of the nineteenth century, photography has found fertile ground in Senegal, the native country of acclaimed studio artists such as Mama Casset. This selection, which showcases the diversity of photographic production in Senegal, is the result of relentless research work by curator Koyo Kouoh, bringing it down to four artists who represent the new generation: Aliou Mbaye, Kandé Senghor, Matar Ndour, and Pape Seydi. “The exhibition is aimed at revealing new stories and new authors, so we can detach ourselves from all that has been previously presented and represented in terms of photography in Senegal”, claims Kouoh. The result of Kouoh’s research was exhibited at the BAMAKO African Photography Encounter V (2003), in Mali, the most important event of the genre in the African continent. Kouoh has visited laboratories, uncovered the heritage that was left behind by studio photographers, and a practice that remains strong in Senegal to this day: itinerant photography, which follows social and political events, and shares space with the so-called art photography.

“The quality of a photographer is not measured by his know-how, it is measured by the power of the stories that he (or she) tells in his images. This is unmistakable… In Africa, as well as in any other place, a photographer, just like any writer, is a storyteller. He retells the story of life. The existence of certain religious blueprints and verbal traditions did not eradicate the need for African people to document their experiences”, says Kouoh.



Aliou Mbaye
Born in Dakar, 1966. Lives and works in Dakar
He started his career as the neighborhood photographer. Presently, Mbaye works for the Agência Panafricana de Imprensa (Pan-African Press Agency), where he has put out a series on Senegalese fighting contests. These combats include parties, very high bets, and rituals that are performed in order to intimidate opponents.

Fatou Kandé Senghor
Born in Dakar, 1971. Lives and works in Dakar
Senghor has studied the literature and civilizations of Anglophonic countries. She is a director, photographer, and fashion designer. The most frequent theme in her work is the African woman, especially their elaborate seduction techniques.

Matar Ndour
Born in Dakar, 1956. Lives and works in Dakar
A self taught photographer, Ndour began photographing at age 16. Initially, he photographed family rites. His interest in industrial photography has led him to work with fashion and journalism. Presently, Ndour dedicates himself to doing authorial work.

Pape Seydi
Born in Dakar, 1969. Lives and works in DakarSeydi has studied at Centre Soleil d’Afrique, in Bamako (Mali), and at the Centre d’Études des Sciences et Techniques de l’Information (Center of Studies for Sciences and Information Techniques), in Dakar (Senegal). He is a photojournalist for “Scoop”, a Dakar newspaper. His work has been exhibited in Europe and in the United States.