Dakar, May 23 (APS) – The 14th Biennale of Contemporary African Art in Dakar (Dak’Art, May 19-June 21) paid tribute to Malian visual artist Abdoulaye Konaté, who exhibits small-format works there devoted to African cultural values, noted the APS.
The exhibition entitled ”Abdoulaye Konaté, the master” was held in a hall of the former courthouse of Cap Manuel, in Dakar, where it rubs shoulders with the works of art of the 59 artists of the international official selection. of the Dak’Art.
”This is a very important passage to witness. I am very honoured, this invitation makes me very happy and I thank the Senegalese people,” Konaté said.
The exhibition shows all the splendor of his works of textile art declined on themes referring to African values and historical figures, including the queen and the king of the Akan people (the Ashanti). The Dogon community is also represented in the works of art exhibited by the Malian artist.
Abdoulaye Konaté takes a stand on certain topical issues relating to the death penalty, terrorism and religious fanaticism in the Sahel, to which his country belongs.
The paintings ”Red drops, blood of the Sahel” and ”No to religious fanaticism”, the first made of amulets flowing on a black sheet, the second being illustrated by an ax above, with drops of blood, mark Konaté’s commitment.
His works also pay homage to his friend Joëlle Busca, an art critic and consultant in cultural cooperation, through a canvas representing the link between Africa and Europe. They are also distinguished by colors giving another texture to the canvas, as illustrated by ”L’Aigle”, with a gradient blue.
“Abdoulaye Konaté’s paintings are scores of human drama and collective unconsciousness, which evoke the ills of men and invite us to reflect on ourselves”, underlined the artistic director of Dak’Art, El Hadji Malick Ndiaye.
According to Amadou Diaw, businessman and founder of the Museum of Photography in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Abdoulaye Konaté confirms his status as “master, dean of this ecosystem of contemporary African art”.
”The artist brings us back to our realities, he draws from traditions, from our values, from our weaving methods and from our primary religions (…) It is Africa that is represented there, especially Mali” , Mr. Diaw said after visiting the exhibition.