Telling Time: A refreshing edition of the ‘Bamako Encounters: African Biennale of Photography’ in Mali

Under the artistic directorship of Bisi Silva and a curatorial team formed by herself, Yves Chatap and Antwan Byrd, the 10th edition of the Biennale – reborn after a 4 year gap due to the armed conflict – examines the concept of time through lens media production in Africa and the diaspora

Curatorial team

The central exhibition at the National Museum of Mali, ‘Telling Time’ approaches past present and future in photographs and videos by 39 selected artists from an open call.

Work by Georges Senga (DRC)

Fatoumata Diabate with props from her makeshift portable studio @ The National Museum

Fatoumata Diabate with props from her makeshift portable studio at The National Museum

Lanchonete.org , a project offering North-eastern Brazilian food to Bamako’s citizens @ Cultura Cafe: Manisoba!!

Portfolio review with Malian photographer Seydou Camara whose beautiful work explores Tombouctou archives.

Exhibitions around the city included an archival view of past editions, a focused monographic of Nigerian photographer J.D.’Okhai Ojeikere, a Lusophone focus including Brazilian and Angolan artists, as well as Malian Photographic Studio project presenting images of Bamako’s communities through the lens of local photographers.