Regardez-moi by Malick Sidibé at Jack Shainman Gallery

Jack Shainman Gallery is pleased to announce Regardez-moi, an exhibition of photographs by Malian photographer Malick Sidibé. The title, which translates to Look at Me, reflects Sidibé’s unmatched ability to capture the vibrant spirit of Bamako, Mali.

Overview

Featuring a vibrant selection of photographs — some of which have never before been exhibited — this presentation invites viewers into the bustling parties, joyous gatherings, and tender moments that defined the transformative era of a young nation relishing the chance to establish its own national identity. In today’s cultural climate, where visibility and representation hold immense weight, Sidibé’s work and legacy remain as significant as ever.

In these works, Sidibé collaborated with local Malian artists to blend his iconic photography with the traditional West African art of reverse-glass painting. Regardez-moi presents a selection of these painted frames, reaffirming the sanctity of African photography as a medium of memory and identity, and underscores Sidibé’s role as a pioneer who sculpted the visual identity of the African diaspora, offering a window into a Malian nation that boldly joined a global youth movement. His photographs transcend their historical context, speaking to contemporary dialogues about identity, agency, and the power of being seen. Sidibé’s photographs don’t just freeze time, they transform these scenes into vibrant stages where his subjects — young couples excited to be married, or older men or women reclaiming their freedom of expression — assert their presence and identity.