Dakar Biennale 2024 opened: full artists list and theme

The 15th edition of the Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art, known as Dak’Art, opened on November 7, 2024, in Dakar, Senegal, and will run until December 7, 2024. This year’s theme, The Wake delves into the enduring legacy of slavery and its impact on contemporary society. The biennale features 58 artists from 33 countries, including seven African American artists from the United States. Their works explore themes of exhumation, mourning, and uprooting, offering diverse perspectives on the historical and ongoing effects of slavery.

Originally scheduled for May 2024, the event was postponed to November due to national and international considerations, including the recent presidential election in Senegal. This decision underscores the biennale’s commitment to providing an optimal environment for artistic expression and discourse. The opening ceremony was presided over by the President of Senegal, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, who officially declared the biennale open on November 7, 2024.

Dakart 15th includes work by the following artists:

• Adel Abdessemed (Algeria/France)
• Sara Al Tantawy (Egypt)
• Mohamed Arim (Algeria)
• Clay Apenouvon (Togo/France)
• Hiba Baddou (Morocco)
• Oumar Ball (Mauritania)
• Mugabo Baritegera (Congo RDC)
• Sonia Barrett (Jamaica/UK)
• Arébénor Basséne (Senegal)
• Ama Be (Ghana/USA)
• Younès Ben Slimane (Tunisia)
• Hicham Berrada (Morocco/France)
• Jenna Burchell (South Africa)
• Sika Da Silveira (Benin)
• Dalila Dalléas Bouzar (Algeria/France)
• Nelson Makengo (Congo RDC)
• Dominique Zinkpè (Benin)
• Elia Nurvista (Indonesia)
• Cheikh Ndiaye (Senegal/France)
• Soukaïna Joual (Morocco)
• Mukalay Nzudi (Congo RDC)
• Malala Andrialavidrazana (Madagascar/France)
• Mónica de Miranda (Angola/Portugal)
• Rehema Chachage (Tanzania)
• Ndidi Dike (Nigeria)
• Ali Cherri (Lebanon/France)
• David Alabo (Ghana)
• Joël Andrianomearisoa (Madagascar/France)
• Abdessamad El Montassir (Morocco)
• Barthélémy Toguo (Cameroon/France)
• Romuald Hazoumé (Benin)
• Ato Malinda (Kenya)
• Modupeola Fadugba (Nigeria/USA)
• Kiluanji Kia Henda (Angola)
• Sammy Baloji (Congo RDC)
• Gosette Lubondo (Congo RDC)
• Pascale Marthine Tayou (Cameroon)
• François Knoetze (South Africa)
• Mame-Diarra Niang (Senegal)
• Kapwani Kiwanga (Canada/France)
• Mohau Modisakeng (South Africa)
• Kura Shomali (Congo RDC)
• Abdoulaye Konaté (Mali)
• Ana Silva (Angola)

For more detailed information on each artist, please visit the official Dakar Biennale website at biennaledakar.org.

As a significant platform for African contemporary art, Dak’Art 2024 continues to foster dialogue and reflection on critical social issues, reinforcing its role in the global art community.