Bamako Biennale Pushes Photography Beyond the Image

The 15th edition of the Rencontres de Bamako, scheduled for November 26, 2026, through January 26, 2027, will explore photography beyond the traditional printed image. Curator Armelle Dakouo’s theme, “Refabulation(s),” will bring together 49 artists whose work extends beyond traditional photography, spanning installation, video, sound, sculpture, and other media. The selection aims for regional representation and gender balance, with 25 women among the chosen artists. Dakouo emphasizes the importance of memory, archives, and history, while also welcoming practices that blur the boundaries between photography and other media. The biennale will include tributes to Malick Sidibé and a presentation of Returning Home, a collaborative project by Santu Mofokeng and Paul Weinberg.