A live musical response to Omar Victor Diop’s exhibition Liberty / Diaspora. Diop’s photographs recast the global politics of black resistance, exploring what unifies and defines these fights for freedom and human rights.
Songwriter Abdoulaye Samb will perform in the gallery, selecting work that draws on his Senegalese heritage and the themes in Diop’s work.
Samb will be introduced by Debbie Golt from the Outer Globe show on Resonance FM.
Abdoulaye Samb is a Senegalese songwriter who warms audience’s hearts with his sincere performances and energetic live shows. Along with his band Minnjiaraby, they create a refreshing blend of traditional Senegalese music and European influences inspired by Fula and Mandinka cultures. The name Minnjirabay meaning the ‘love of mixing’ expresses the richness in Senegalese culture and an open mind to the many influences from across the globe.
Hailing from a humble background in Dakar and a family that was not of Griot origin – Abdoulaye’s opportunity to play music was initially limited. Finding inspiration to play music whilst working in a hardware store in the coastal town of Yen, he made his first guitar using an oilcan and fishing wire – on his return to Dakar he played exclusively on this homemade instrument for two years.
Recognising Abdoulaye’s natural talent - legendary local Griot musician, Mamaya Kanoute, generously offered to mentor Abdoulaye, teaching him the traditional guitar for a year before his untimely death.
AUTOGRAPH
Rivington Place
London
EC2A 3BA
Opening Times
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Closed
11am - 6pm
11am - 6pm
11am - 9pm
11am - 6pm
12 noon - 6pm
Closed
VISITOR CONTACT
T: 020 7749 1240
E: info@rivingtonplace.org
This is an informal event in the gallery at Autograph. Benches are available for seating. Additional seats and chairs with armrests are available on request, please speak with one of our Visitor Assistants who will be happy to help.
Banner images: 1) Abdoulaye Samb. 2) Omar Victor Diop, Frederick Douglass 1818–1895. From Project Diaspora (2014) © Omar Victor Diop / MAGNIN-A, Paris. 3) Omar Victor Diop, Thiaroye 1944. From Liberty (2016). Courtesy © Omar Victor Diop / MAGNIN-A, Paris. 4) Liberty / Diaspora exhibition at Autograph, London. Photograph by Zoe Maxwell.
Autograph is a place to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
Donate Join our mailing list