AFROTOPIA EXHIBITION AT THE CITADEL OF PAMPLONA

Afrotopia was presented at the Ciudadela as part of the África Imprescindible programme, bringing together 58 photographs by 35 emerging artists from Senegal, Niger, and Mali. The exhibition explored themes such as environmental challenges, sustainability, globalization, gender roles, youth aspirations, and tradition. It remained on view at the Pabellón de Mixtos until February 2021.

An Active Vision of the Future

The exhibition originated from a series of workshops led by Héctor Mediavilla in Dakar, Niamey, and Bamako in 2017, within the framework of the Bamako Photography Biennale. Its title was inspired by the concept of Afrotopia, coined by Senegalese thinker Felwine Sarr, which advocates for a self-defined African future shaped beyond external narratives.

Through this perspective, the project encouraged participants to rethink existing paradigms and develop their own visions grounded in their social, cultural, and environmental realities

Artists and Context

Over three weeks, participants developed individual photographic projects reflecting on the future they envision while remaining connected to their cultural roots. The workshops brought together artists with diverse backgrounds—from emerging students in Bamako to self-taught photographers in Niger and established professionals in Senegal—highlighting both the richness and the challenges of contemporary African photography.

Participating Artists

Senegal
Moctar Ba · Ndeye Astou Beyé (BEY-A) · Haidar Chams (FROMHAII) · Lamine Dieme (LADIEME) · Khalifa N’Diaye (KHALIFA HUSSEIIN) · Assane Sow · Ina Thiam · Abdoulaye Touré

Niger
Boureima Abdoulaye (BERGE) · Abdoulaye Ali · Peter Aborisade Adeyemi Lawrence (REA MISE) · Lawali Abdou Maman (LAWALI RASTA) · Abdou Garbá Moustaphá (YAHE TCKIKO) · Touré Abdel Razack (ZAK) · Hadjara Mahirou Saley · Ahmed Tourmane Souleymane · Konaté Ousmane Tidjani · Rakiatou Ibrahim Yaye

Mali
Amadou Diabagate · Souleymane Diallo · Ousmane Goïta · Khadim M’baye (BAMBA MBAYE) · Taganor Wallet Mohamed · Mariam Niare · Moussa Samake (SAM MOUSSA) · Mariam Tapily · Fatoumata Traoré · Mamadou Traoré · Fadio Traoré · Youssouf Traoré (ISSOUF KING)