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Sierra Leonean artists and art enthusiasts showcased their talents at the first-ever collective Sierra Leonean art exhibition in Dakar as part of the OFF Program of the 15th Dakar Biennale.
The exhibition, held on Saturday, November 9, at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Dakar, marks a historic moment for Sierra Leone’s art scene and cultural diplomacy, drawing attention to the vibrant and diverse artistic expressions from the nation under the theme “Past, Present, Future.”
The OFF Program, a prominent feature of the Biennale, is recognized as a significant aspect of Senegal’s cultural diplomacy, bringing hundreds of independent art events to venues across the city. This year’s Dakar Biennale, presided over by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on November 7, is expected to attract over 450,000 visitors with more than 400 OFF exhibitions in various locations.
At the opening of the Sierra Leonean exhibit, Ambassador Ibrahim Turay underscored the alignment of the exhibition with Sierra Leone’s Medium Term National Development Plan (2024-2030), which prioritizes tourism as a strategic sector for economic growth. Ambassador Turay emphasized the Government’s commitment to expanding the tourism and cultural sectors to foster job creation, revenue generation, and poverty reduction.
The Ambassador extended his gratitude to Naomi Schram Ndao and Yasmin Metz-Johnson, the producer and curator of the exhibition, for their dedication to organizing the event. He also outlined his vision for a future Sierra Leonean-led art festival in Freetown that would attract regional interest, celebrating the nation’s rich cultural heritage on a broader platform.
In addition to visual art displays, the exhibition included a short film titled Peace, followed by a panel discussion with Ambassador Turay and other distinguished panelists. The event highlighted Sierra Leone’s artistic contributions on a global stage and provided an opportunity for cultural exchange with artists from Africa and the diaspora.
The OFF Program at the Dakar Biennale will run through December 7, with hundreds of exhibitions showcasing a wide range of contemporary African and diaspora art, solidifying the Biennale’s role as a leading cultural event in Africa.
