Efie Gallery is proud to welcome Abdoulaye Konaté to its roster, marking this collaboration with his solo debut in the Middle East, an exhibition titled “Sambadio”. This exhibition takes its name from the last song on Ali Farka Touré’s 1976 album Le Jeune Chansonnier du Mali. By paying homage to Bedouin culture, Konaté’s debut in the region offers a unique opportunity to delve into the connections between West Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, it reinforces Efie Gallery’s status as a leading institution, showcasing significant African artists and exploring artistic practices across diverse cultures.
Konaté, born and raised in Mali, draws deeply from his Malian heritage in his work. Textiles, a crucial element of West African culture’s means of communication serve as his primary medium. In this context, “communication” transcends its usual meaning, encompassing not only the exchange of ideas but also spiritual interactions. Through his use of textiles, Konaté creates a platform where time and space intertwine, allowing for profound connections between past, present, and future.
Over the years, Konaté has become renowned for his large-scale textile installations, which frequently incorporate dyed fabrics from Mali. His works do more than celebrate Malian culture; they engage with global issues, confronting audiences with visual representations of socio-political and environmental challenges. These powerful installations have been exhibited in some of the world’s most prestigious art institutions, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Tate Modern in London, and the Smithsonian Museum.
A highlight of Konaté’s exhibition at Efie Gallery will be a 9-meter installation titled Source de lumière (Soleil/Sun) Motif d’Arabie sur Fond Ocre, 2024 (Arabian Motif on an Ochre Background, 2024). Additionally, the exhibition will feature a catalog with contributions from prominent African writers, critics, and scholars, including Simon Njami, Ousseynou Wade, and Professor Yacouba Konaté.
Since its inception in 2021, Efie Gallery’s commitment to represent and promote established and emerging African and diaspora artists continues. The inclusion of Konaté further strengthens this mission, underscoring the gallery’s dedication to elevating Africa’s role in the global cultural landscape. Efie Gallery’s participation in the upcoming Abu Dhabi Art Fair from November 20-24 will highlight artists such as Aidah Muluneh, Victor Ekpuk, Dyala Nussibeh, El Anatsui, and Dr. Mohamed Yousif, all of whom have significantly contributed to the evolution of artistic techniques.
The exhibition will run from October 10, 2024, to January 6, 2025, at the Efie Gallery in the United Arab Emirates. Be sure to visit and experience this profound intersection of cultures and artistic expression.
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