The 2024 Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art, known as Dak’Art, opened in Senegal with a theme exploring the legacy of slavery. The event, featuring 58 artists from 13 countries, is centered on the theme “The Wake.” According to Salimata Diop, Dak’Art’s artistic director, the idea behind the theme is to link the past and the future by giving them equal importance. With the United States as the guest of honor of this year’s show, the opening exhibition featured the artworks of seven African American artists. Their pieces, which delved into slavery’s enduring impact, explored themes of mourning, heritage, and resilience. Additionally, their works explored the cultural beliefs of the Lebou people, an ethnic group in Senegal, about the afterlife. The festival will run until December 7.
SOURCE: AP NEWS
