The 16th Biennale of Contemporary African Art, taking place in Senegal, has unveiled its curatorial team, led by Morad Montazami as the artistic director. Montazami, an art historian, editor, and exhibition curator, is tasked with developing an original curatorial project that aligns with the mission and values of the Biennale. With six years of experience at the Tate Modern in London, Montazami founded and directs the editorial and curatorial platform Zamân Books & Curating, dedicated to modern and contemporary African, Arab, and Asian art, as well as postcolonial art history.
The curatorial team includes Fatima Bintou Rassoul Sy, a Senegalese exhibition curator specializing in archives and narratives related to black geographies. Her practice relies on community knowledge to restore historical and contemporary experiences. Sy has contributed to the development of the Museum of Black Civilizations and has worked with Raw Material Company since 2018. She will rejoin the Museum in December 2026 as an exhibition curator. Madeleine de Colnet co-directs Zamân Books & Curating with Montazami and has worked on several cultural institutions in France and Morocco.
Oulimata Gueye, an art critic, independent curator, and teacher, is also part of the curatorial team. Her practice is based on research at the intersection of contemporary art, science, and popular culture. Gueye teaches at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Lyon and is a member of the scientific committee of the Édouard Glissant Art Fund and the International Orientation Committee of the Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar.
Delphine Lopez, an exhibition curator, art historian, and art critic based in Dakar, rounds out the team. Her curatorial practice focuses on contemporary African and Afro-diasporic scenes, particularly exploring forms of transmission, care, repair, and recomposition. Lopez has curated several exhibitions, including "Et je renais à la terre qui fut ma mère," dedicated to Souleymane Keïta in 2024.
Youssouf Fofana, a Franco-Senegalese entrepreneur, designer, and artistic director, will oversee the curation of the Design section. In 2014, Fofana founded the Maison Château Rouge brand, dedicated to fashion, object design, and textiles, with major international collaborations. The diverse curatorial team is set to bring a unique perspective to the 16th Biennale of Contemporary African Art.
The team's primary goal is to foster reflections on "(Anti)fragility," a theme that aligns with the Biennale's mission to promote contemporary African art. With their combined expertise, the curators aim to create a thought-provoking exhibition that showcases the best of African art.
The 16th Biennale of Contemporary African Art promises to be an exciting event, with the curatorial team's diverse backgrounds and expertise set to bring a fresh perspective to the art world. The event is expected to attract art enthusiasts and critics from around the world, all eager to experience the best of contemporary African art.
Key points
- The curatorial team is led by Morad Montazami, with a focus on "(Anti)fragility".
- The team includes Fatima Bintou Rassoul Sy, Madeleine de Colnet, Oulimata Gueye, Delphine Lopez, and Youssouf Fofana.
- The 16th Biennale of Contemporary African Art will showcase the best of African art, with a unique perspective from the curatorial team.
