MIGRATION AND IDENTITY

Text written by Haja Fanta

Curated by Fatima Jobe

Scenography by Deep

Migration and Identity by multidisciplinary artist Djibril Drame is a layered exploration of movement and belonging. Through a constructed combination of photography, textile, collage, and screenprinting, Drame traverses the ways in which migration shapes identity, offering a nuanced meditation on his own migration across multiple geographies. Born out of a period of introspection after 15 years of evolving work, this body of work also represents a restitching and consolidation of Djibril Drame's artistic practice. It gathers the threads of his journey, uniting past explorations into a representation of what it means to carry many identities today.

The exhibition assembles a range of materials, most notably plastic-woven rice bags—objects that not only migrate from place to place but serve as vessels, carrying a life-sustaining grain shared across communities. These bags, alongside textiles woven by Aïssa Dione and Johanna Bramble, that feature black and red prints of the decorative pattern toile de Jouy, act as visual backdrops to the images that encapsulate Drame’s own artistic and migratory journey. Previous works, such as Ruuk Diskettes in Dem Dikk Via Vai and Ndeweneul, are echoed here; however, the conversation Drame is establishing is firmly rooted in the present. The reusing of these materials and images suggests new ways in which we can embrace our interconnectedness.

Through this work, Drame presents fresh, open-ended ideas about the multiple worlds that have collided through displacement, colonialism, and movement, and how their ongoing convergence continually reshapes his self-perception. He forges an evocative connection between the materiality of movement and the intangible aspects of identity. The carefully layered materials invite audiences to consider what new identities that are born out of the artifacts they hold within.

Forgotten Icons

Curated by Fatima Bocoum

The latest edition of Forgotten Icons by Djibril Dramé revisits the legacies of three monumental figures: singers Nina Simone and Umm Kulthum, and writer Ama Ata Aidoo—each of whom transcended her respective medium. Through the lens of African semiotics, Dramé intricately weaves their narratives, merging historical resonance with contemporary relevance.

Nina Simone, the High Priestess of Soul, revolutionized music by blending genres while fiercely advocating for civil rights—a legacy of defiance that continues through her daughter, Lisa Simone. Similarly, Ama Ata Aidoo, a literary titan from Ghana, wielded her pen as a powerful weapon against colonialism and patriarchy, foregrounding the African woman’s experience and inspiring global feminist discourse with incisive critiques of gender inequality. In parallel, Umm Kulthum, the iconic voice of Egypt, captivated audiences with performances that transcended social and political confines, embodying the resilience and solidarity of her people.

Though these women were united in their defiance of societal constraints and asserted themselves despite opposition, using their artistry to challenge norms and inspire cultural revolutions, Djibril Dramé reunites them in a singular portrayal. A woven tapestry serves as a backdrop, featuring human figures on horseback— alluding to pre-abolition and colonial eras—while portraying these icons with undeniable dignity. African cultural heritage is expressed through the headwrap, a cultural artifact symbolizing motherhood and matriarchy. The vibrant yellow and red of recycled fabric, traditionally used in Senegal for transporting goods, evoke themes of motherland and resistance.

In these deliberate details, Djibril Dramé’s work not only honors their enduring legacies but also invites reflection on the persistent power of women’s voices across generations and the complex relationships between inheritance and transmission, resistance and existence. Forgotten Icons emerges as a bridge between the past and present, imbuing these iconic contributions with renewed meaning and celebrating resilience through the African gaze.