The 15th Dakar Biennale (Dak’Art 2024) awarded the Grand Prix Léopold Sédar Senghor to Martinican artist Agnès Brezephin for her deeply resonant installation, Fil(s) de soi(e).
The jury chose Brezephin’s work for its emotional depth and nuanced storytelling from a pool of 58 artists representing 27 countries. The jury, chaired by Michèle Magena, described the piece as an evocative invitation to self-reflection.
“This installation challenges viewers to engage in an intimate dialogue with themselves, setting the tone for an unforgettable experience,” Magena noted.
The award ceremony took place at the Grand Théâtre National Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose. It saw Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye personally present the prestigious prize to Brezephin. Accompanied by a monetary award of 20 million CFA francs, the recognition marks a significant milestone in the artist’s career.
Brezephin, visibly emotional, reflected on the transformative impact of the experience:
“Creating and presenting this work felt like rediscovering home. It’s an extraordinary journey that leaves me profoundly changed.”
Dak’Art 2024 celebrated a remarkable array of talent, with Jamaican artist Sonia Barrett receiving the Ousmane Sow Sculptor’s Prize for her work Map-lective. Senegalese artist Manel Ndoye earned the Dakar City Hall Prize for Portée culturelle. The West African Economic and Monetary Union Prize was awarded to Togolese artist Clay Apenouvon for Grande fenêtre sur le large. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Integration Prize was presented to Dior Thiam for his series Particles 1 and Particles 2. Ugandan artist Ronald Odur claimed the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture Prize for The Fabric of Identity.
Dak’Art continues to distinguish itself as a global hub for artistic innovation and dialogue. It further amplifies voices that challenge, inspire, and redefine contemporary art. With Agnès Brezephin’s win, the biennale underscores its role as a catalyst for groundbreaking creativity and cross-cultural exchange.
