"Borders"

Held every two years since 1994 based on research work conducted all over Africa, the Bamako Encounters, Biennial of African Photography seek to promote regional integration and facilitate North-South cultural exchanges by creating an international cultural centre in Bamako that testifies to the wealth and vitality of the photography produced on the continent. These Encounters constitute an opportunity for exchange and dialogue enabling African photographers to show their talents, to meet one another, and to reveal their work to the world. They are also a window opening new audiences to the art of photography.

The 8th edition is marked by a number of organizational changes: from the appointment of two new artistic co-directors, curators Michket Krifa (Tunisia) and Laura Serani (Italy), a new name for the biennial now called the "Bamako Encounters" and a stronger involvement of the Malian Ministry of Culture.

This year, the theme of the biennial is “Borders”. In Africa more than anywhere else, the co-curators explain, borders are a complex issue, whether artificial lines designed by men or natural barriers. The biennial proposes to explore this question and look at how borders affect peoples, identity, religion, territories, economical resources, sociopolitical contexts, movement and displacement.

Also planned are a series of debates, workshops, portfolio reviews, photo studios and live events with a strong emphasis on outreach programmes to engage with the local community.

In total, more than 100 artists presented in numerous venues throughout the Malian capital, with an exhibition design by Malagasy artist Joel Andrianomearisoa.

The "8th Bamako Encounters" are co-produced by the Malian Ministry of Culture and Culturesfrance, in partnership with the European Union, Bolloré Africa Logistics, AFD, OIF and puma.creative

The artists selected for the Panafrican Exhibition of the 8th Bamako Encounters are:

Video artists
. Ismaïl Bahri (Tunisia)
. Jack Beng-Thi (Reunion Island)
. Berry Bickle (Zimbabwe)
. Andrew Esiebo (Nigeria)
. Isoje Iyi Eweka Chou (Nigeria)
. Mounir Fatmi (Morocco)
. Amadou Kane Sy (Senegal)
. Bouchra Khalili (Morocco)
. Mohamed Konaté (Mali)
. Tiécoura N’Daou (Mali)
. Riason Naidoo (South Africa)
. Dinkies Sithole (South Africa)
. Guy Wouete (Cameroon)

Photographers
. Myriam Abdelaziz (Egypt) 

. Kader Attia (Algeria-France)
. Arwa Abouon (Lybia)
. Abdoulaye Barry (Chad) 

. Jodi Bieber (South Africa)

. Lilia Benzid (Tunisia)
. Mohamed Bourouissa (Algeria-France)
. Mohamed Camara (Mali) 

. Seydou Camara (Mali) 

. Nestor Da (Burkina Faso)
. Ananias Leki Dago (Ivory Coast)
. Saidou Dicko (Burkina Faso)
. Faten Gaddes (Tunisia) 

. François-Xavier Gbré (Ivory Coast)
. Yoyo Gonthier (Reunion Island)
. Uche Okpa-Iroha (Nigeria)
. Ayana Jackson (USA) 

. Antony Kaminju (Kenya) 

. Majida Khattari (Morocco)
. Frid Armel Louzala (Congo-Brazza) 

. Robert Mafuta (Central African Republic-DRC) 

. Lebohang Mashiloane (South Africa)

. Baudoin Mouanda (DRC)
. Zanele Muholi (South Africa)


. Malik Nejmi (Morocco)
. Rana el Nemr (Egypt)
. Abraham Oghobase (Nigeria)
. Emeka Okereke (Nigeria) 

. Ali Mohamed Osman (Sudan) 

. George Osodi (Nigeria)
. Zak Ové (Trinidad-UK)
. Fidisoa A.J. Ramanahadray (Madagascar) 


. Zineb Sedira (Algeria-UK)
. Mouna Jemal Siala (Tunisia)
. Barthelemy Toguo (Cameroon) 

. Aboubacar Traoré (Mali)
. Salif Traoré (Mali) 

. Alain Wandimoyi (DRC) 

. Alastair Whitton (South Africa) 



. Graeme Williams (South Africa) 


Solo exhibitions include:
. Angèle Etoundi Essamba (Cameroon)
. Hassan Hajjaj (Morocco)
. Patrizia Guerresi Maïmouna (Italy)
. Baudouin Mouanda (Congo)
. Fazal Sheikh (USA)

Click here to download the Bamako Encounters press release in English (PDF) or contact the Musée National du Mali or Culturesfrance for more information.