Senegal: Dokh Dadjé

Travelers (2013) by El Hadji Abdoulaye Sow (El Sow)

The challenges of the proposal may not have appeared obvious to all, and his initiative had various responses from the artists. Some welcomed it with enthusiasm, others with suspicion, and yet others with a categorical refusal. In the end there were approximately 150 artists with various backgrounds, with different training, and with diverse ways to express themselves that came forward to voluntarily get involved. Some are established artists, others are much less well known.

Nampal - Baobab (2013) by El Hadji Niang (Maodo Niang)

The encounter involves the requirement that each contributes equally to the creation of the mosaic. For this reason all concerned have had to stick with the “universal” format of 10x12 cm. Far from being bothersome to the artists, this condition stimulated the curiosity of all, and proved to be a real driving force of creativity. The artists used all languages on this reduced format moving from paper to iron, from painting to collage... without any inhibition. This diversity of materials and techniques led to the creation of a larger work, a mosaic in which every individual makes a difference, but in which all are important, if not indispensable. And an encounter of emotions, subversion and aesthetics undeniably occurred.

Calm Rainy Day (2013) by Elise Fitte-Duval

The participating artists are Senegalese by birth, by adoption or in transit, but they all currently reside in Senegal. In this diversity of profiles, the strong presence of women is significant in the rejection of prejudices, in aspiration for equality and in the freedom of expression that together are steadily becoming more affirmed on Senegalese soil. The contemporary Senegalese production is characterized by its heterogeneity and its diversity and this body of work bears the mark of a great opening. Far be it for us to claim the building of an inventory of artists from Senegal or to select some in order to obtain a representative collection.

The Hidden Face (2013) by Latifa Pouye

The challenge is to present, liberating ourselves from the commonplace and diktat, the face of contemporary production of plastic artists. Senegal is the Nation in which Léopold Sédar Senghor, French language poet and academic, was elected first President of the Republic in 1960. Knowing this you can better understand why there is an article in the Constitution of Senegal that says: “the President of the Republic is the first patron of the arts, of literature and of artists”.

Mask of Wisdom (2013) by Mouhamadou Moustapha Soire (MOW 504)

A remarkable fact should be noted regarding contemporary Senegalese art: in the first World Festival of Negro Arts in Dakar organized in 1966 under the aegis of President Léopold Sédar Senghor, an exhibition was held entitled “Trends and comparisons, contemporary arts”. André Malraux was present, then French Minister of Culture. Malraux turned to President Léopold Sédar Senghor with these words: “Here you have seven or eight artists of international stature, greats among the great”.

Peaceful Union (2013) by Rokhaya Camara

Amadou Seck, a painter present in the catalogue, and admired by President Senghor, was defined by Picasso himself “the Picasso of Senegal”. Despite the precarious state of his health, he continues to paint surrounded by a dynasty of youths in his family that he has launched into painting. This is why the name Seck recurs so often in the catalogue. According to our traditions, it is the task of the elders to put into words the discourse of the community. Amadou Seck gets along just fine.

Anta Germaine Gaye – Plastic artist, professor of artistic education Knight of the National Order of Merit of the Lion, Republic of Senegal