March 29 – June 3, 2012
Malick Sidibé, Woman in a Checkered Dress, 1971. Gelatin silver print. © Malick Sidibé / Gwinzegal / diChroma photography
Malick Sidibé, The Two of Us on a Motorcycle, 1970. Gelatin silver print. © Malick Sidibé / Gwinzegal / diChroma photography
Malick Sidibé, Baptism, 1967. Gelatin silver prints mounted to paper. © Malick Sidibé / Gwinzegal / diChroma photography
Malick Sidibé, The Pretend Sailor, 1967. Gelatin silver print. © Malick Sidibé / Gwinzegal / diChroma photography
Malick Sidibé, Pretending to Smoke, 1976. Gelatin silver print. © Malick Sidibé / Gwinzegal / diChroma photography
Malick Sidibé’s exuberant photographs offer a unique look at a time of political transition and cultural liberation. As Mali gained independence from France in 1960, the youth culture of music, dancing, and fashion exploded in this once-conservative West African nation and Sidibé’s ubiquitous lens chronicled it all. Through the use of props, posing, and deft attention to personality, he developed a distinct style, fulfilling his clients’ aspirational self-presentation and achieving international recognition for these beautiful and nuanced studies of human character.
Studio Malick is organized by DePaul Art Museum in conjunction with diChroma Photography, Spain.