Malian, 1935–2016
Working in his Bamako portrait studio from the 1960s onward, Sidibé documented the sense of self-discovery that emerged in Mali following independence. Reversing the traditional portrait, Malick Sidibé’s "Vues de Dos," or "Back Views", offer a surprisingly intimate portrayal of Malian society. With their voluptuous figures and languid postures, these women exude calm confidence and alluring sensuality. Their bodies, wrapped in strikingly patterned fabrics, are presented as sites of desire, yet Sidibé’s sensitive compositions move away from mere objectification and toward a more collaborative representation. Facing away, glancing back, or absorbed in their own thoughts, Sidibé’s subjects seem to invite the viewer to engage, to reach out, to question.
