Cécile Fakhoury Gallery in Paris opens its doors to Binta Diaw for her solo exhibition entitled “Da qui (à partir d’ici)“. After captivating audiences with “DÏÀSPORA” in Abidjan in 2021 and “TOOLU XEER” in Dakar in 2022, the Senegalese-Italian artist takes her first steps in the art gallery’s Parisian space. Immersed in a presentation highlighting the black body as a crossroads of historical and social issues, Binta Diaw invites the Parisian public to explore this subtle point of convergence between various artistic dimensions such as landscape, the body and braiding.
The black body, particularly the female body, has been the subject of much suffering throughout history. Binta Diaw chooses these tried and tested protagonists as the cornerstone of her “Da qui” exhibition. These actors are transformed into performative and reconciliatory supports through which the contemporary artist irrigates a global universe essential to meeting the challenges of our times together. From root-braids to landscape-curves to sculpture-rivals, “Da qui” offers an exploration of shared strategies of resilience between body and nature in the face of the legacies of slavery, patriarchy and colonialism.
Her work, Uati’s Wisdom, made from an impressive network of braids, refers to the mythological figure Mami Wata, a water divinity perceived as bewitching and insidious, often depicted with abundant hair in Africa or India. This creation is simply an extension of her artistic approach, highlighting braiding as a relevant motif and aesthetic technique at the heart of her art. Of Italian and Senegalese origin, Binta Diaw grew up in Milan and studied at the Brera Academy.
Italian culture is fully integrated into her identity and the artistic mix of her creations. The country’s economy of means, open conceptualization and vision are reminiscent of Arte Povera. In her work, Rifùgio, Binta Diaw makes clear reference to Mario Merz’s emblematic igloo, infusing it with braids of synthetic hair that, in this space of refuge, tell a story of resistance and resilience.
Indeed, for the artist, the hair culture of black women, both past and present, refers to many historical and societal issues. The art of braiding is synonymous with connection, unification, transmission and maintenance. Alone or accompanied by other women, the Senegalese-Italian artist breathes life into her works through this gesture requiring patience and expertise.
The creation of her video, Essere Corpo, is motivated by the artist’s desire to restore and preserve harmony between body and nature, in a dance imbued with sensitivity. Inspired by this ideal, she created works in Milan such as Terrestre, Continuità and Radici Sospese, testifying to the genesis of her work, a composite of performances and installation-ecosystems inviting an in-depth analysis and better understanding of the issues of our recent history through a prism of multiple perception.
To accompany the presentation of his exhibition “DA QUI”, a monographic catalog will be published, including contributions by Françoise Vergès, Janine Gaëlle Dieudji, Marie-Hélène Pereira and Delphine Lopez.
Until March 23, the Parisian gallery Cécile Fakhoury will present “DA QUI“, a captivating plunge into the rich artistic universe of Binta Diaw. Through her creations featuring the black body, weaving and nature, the Senegalese-Italian artist invites the public to explore the links between history, resilience and identity. By subtly combining Italian cultural elements with her Senegalese heritage, she creates a unique artistic dialogue that resonates powerfully with contemporary issues.
