Bamako Encounters Contemporary African Photography is characterized by Playful and bold, the images of Contemporary African Photography. Biennial subvert advertising tropes, interrogate beauty standards, examine the effects of urban life – and salute the clenched fist of the black power movement. Inaugurated in 1994, the Bamako Encounters Contemporary African Photography celebrates contemporary photography in Africa. Here’s a selection of images from this year’s event
12th Bamako Encounters Photography Biennial 2020 is a must see at various venues around the capital of Mali in Bamako until 31 January 2020
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Shaabi Beaches (2017) by Roger Anis
Anis believes a lot can be learned about a country by looking at the quirky behaviours displayed on its beaches. This portrait shows Egyptians relaxing in Alexandria. All images: courtesy the artist -
Scènes de vie (2017) by Amsatou Diallo
Through digital collage, Amsatou Diallo superimposes iconography of African daily life and culture on to urban landscapes that she captured in North Carolina in the US -
Untitled (c 1960s-70s) by Felicia Abban
Felicia Abban is a Ghanaian photographer whose career began in the 1950s and spanned more than six decades. She is regarded as the country’s first professional female photographer -
Air Twelve Land (2019) by Khalil Nemmaoui
Nemmaoui’s project Air Twelve Land began with a fascination with the Renault 12. His pictures emerge from chance encounters with derelict or fully operational models in a variety of circumstances -
Untitled, from the series Nothing’s in Vain (2014-16) by Emmanuele Andrianjafy
Nothing’s in Vain is Madagascan-born Andrianjafy’s way of exploring her disorientation, after she arrived in Senegal. The series examines the relationship between urban living and her own internal search for belonging and connection -
Poolside Boy (from the series Silent Conversations) by Fanyana Hlabangane
Fanyana Hlabangane’s photographs show human figures and architectural forms in private moments and solitary scenes around Johannesburg. He believes the scale of the city can dwarf one’s sense of belonging, and even undermine hopes and dreams -
Angela Davis at the Keskidee Centre (1975) by Armet Francis
Armet Francis is a Jamaican-born photographer who lives in London, and was the first black photographer to have a solo exhibition at London’s Photographers’ Gallery. He has documented and chronicled the lives of people of the African diaspora for more than 40 years -
Love Story (2015) by Adama Jalloh
Adama Jalloh’s work explores themes of identity, race and culture within her own community in London. Born in London in 1933 to Sierra Leonean parents, she grew up with a Catholic mother and a Muslim father. She was considered Sierra Leonese by the British and British by the Sierra Leonese. This series is a statement of her attachment to the Afro-diasporic community she most identifies with
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