A few years back, if asked where is Bamako, I would have been hard pressed to tell you. Obviously that is not the case now, but one more reason to know where this city lies is Malick Sidibé.
This amazing photographer hails from the West African capital of Mali where his studio, Studio Malick, has been based since 1958. Seeing his work from the sixties and seventies, is like seeing the backside of the moon, a vision of happy young Africans.
In the autobiographic documentary, Dolce Vita Africana, Sidibé speaks candidly about his personal vision.
“For me, photography is about youth.
It’s a happy world , full of joy, that’s what it is for me.
It’s not some crying kid on a street corner….. or a sick person.
Africa has only known poverty in recent years.
Well in this country at least.”
His photographs capture the carefree spirit of his generation; they take us on a journey of witty snapshots, stylish posers, pattern plays and fabulous moments!
Malick Sidibé’s exclusive agent is André Magnin of Magnin-A [Art Advisory]. The artists work can be found via Fifty One Fine Art Photography (Antwerp), Galerie du jour – agnès b (Paris), Hackelbury (London) and at Brancolini (Italy).
Awards
2008 ICP Award
2007 Golden Lion for Lifetime Achiement, Biennale of Venice
2003 Hasselbad Award Winner
[Images courtesy André Magnin via
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