The Encounters of Bamako is a professional selling space dedicated to photography from the African continent. While African photography is institutionally renowned and appreciated by professionals, it is unfortunately under-represented on the international art market.  The Encounters of Bamako, through a selection of African artists presented during the Bamako Encounters - African Photography Bienniale,will present and acknowledge the long-term work achieved over the last decade by the Ministry of Culture of Mali and Culturesfrance, with the support of the European Union, in terms of discovering and promoting African photography.

Bamako Encounters has become an established showcase for African contemporary photography. The 2007 show, which included photography, installation, film and video, met with great success, garnering positive response from the media and professionals alike. The next edition of the biennale will take place in Bamako from 7 November to 7 December 2009, with the professional week running from 7 to 13 November.

To further foster the promotion of African photography, Culturesfrance has established a satellite event titled The Encounters of Bamako. The exhibition was shown at the Joburg Art Fair from 3-5 April and Art Beijing form 26-30 April 2009. Organised by Culturesfrance, in collaboration with Gallery MOMO and the French Institute of South Africa, The Encounters of Bamako will give fair-goers a broad overview of African contemporary photography, while allowing a selection of eight African photographers to engage with the realities of the international art market.

CULTURESFRANCE is an agency for international cultural exchanges under the umbrella of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and of Culture and Communication. It is in this context that the Culturesfrance Department of Exchange and Artistic Co-operation supports the promotion and presentation of African contemporary expression. It does so in two ways: by encouraging cultural development and exposing artists and their work to the international market. In doing so, favourable conditions are created for sustainable artistic creation. In the discipline of photography, Culturesfrance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of Mali, has initiated and organised the Bamako Encounters - African Photography Bienniale since 1994.

www.culturesfrance.com   

IFAS-CULTURE (French Institute of South Africa) is the cultural agency of the French Embassy in South Africa. Situated in Newtown, the heart of Johannesburg's cultural hub, IFAS supports artistic events in various domains, throughout the year and around the country. Events supported by IFAS-Culture take place in venues and festivals throughout the country, allowing the institute to establish relationships with various South African partners. As part of its mission, IFAS-Culture encourages cultural diversity and exchanges between South Africa, France and the rest of the African continent. As a promoter and diffuser of the French language and Francophone culture to the local public, IFAS-Culture works in close collaboration with the network of Alliances Francaise in South Africa. Since its inception, the French Institute has been building strong partnerships with various festivals, artists, universities, museums and galleries, as well as government institutions and businesses.

www.ifas.org.za         

Sammy Baloji (DRC)

Berry Bickle (Zimbabwe)

Mohamed Camara (Mali)

Saidou Dicko (Burkina Faso)

Calvin Dondo (Zimbabwe)

Rana ElNemr (Egypt)

Pierrot Men (Madagascar)

Zwelethu Mthethwa (South Africa)

Aida Muluneh (Ethiopia)

Sergio Santimano (Mozambique)

Andrew Tshabangu (South Africa)