In Paris: Mali Twist, the largest ever exhibition of Malick Sidibé's work

Malick Sidibé was lauded “the eye of Bamako” for his work in the Mali capital in the heady years after independence from France in 1960. Often shooting in dance halls and soirées as well as in his studio in the Bagadagjii district, Sidibé captured the vitality and verve of the time, photographing the country’s young people and their clothes, dance moves, and musical tastes.
By the 1990s Sidibé’s work had gained attention outside Africa and in 1995, the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain was the first to give him a solo show outside the continent. Now, a year after his death, the institution is staging the largest ever exhibition of his work, including over 300 images taken from the early 1960s to 80s. Mali Twist includes iconic works such as Un Yé-yé en position and Nuit de Noël (Happy-club), both shot in 1963, but also previously unseen vintage photographs and portraits – including 30 previously unshown studio portraits selected from thousands of negatives in Sidibé’s archives.
The exhibition title comes from 1963 song by Malian singer and guitarist Boubacar Traoré, and the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain has invited Malian artists, musicians, and thinkers to stage concerts, dance nights, a mobile phone studio, and various talks and discussions during the show. Mali Twist has been conceived and curated by André Magnin, who specialises in promoting non-Western contemporary art.
Malick Sidibé Mali Twist is on show from 20 October-25 February, 2018 www.fondationcartier.com

Regardez-moi! 1962. Collection Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris © Malick Sidibé
Nuit de Noël (Happy-club), 1963. Collection Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris © Malick Sidibé
Dansez le twist, 1965. Collection Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris © Malick Sidibé
Soirée mariage Drissa Balo, 1967. Collection Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris © Malick Sidibé
Untitled, circa 1969. Courtesy succession Malick Sidibé © Malick Sidibé
(Je l’appelais) La gazelle / Avec mon chapeau et mes pattes d’éléphant, 1974. Courtesy CAAC – The Pigozzi Collection, Genève © Malick Sidibé
Moi seul, 1974. Courtesy collection André Magnin © Malick Sidibé
Un jeune gentleman, 1978 Courtesy Magnin-A © Malick Sidibé