DAKAR, Senegal — The whirlwind of color and art at the opening of this year’s Dakar Biennial of Contemporary African Art in Senegal’s capital stood in stark contrast to the serious subject of slavery featured in the artworks of visiting artists from the United States.

The exhibition in the US showcases seven African-American artists whose works examine the past, present and future repercussions of slavery. It is part of the international festival known as Dak’Art, held every two years.

Traditional “boubous” wide-sleeved dresses worn in West Africa were mixed with black suits and ties at the opening in Dakar, Senegal’s capital, on Thursday.

Founded by the Senegalese government in 1989 to promote the continent’s thriving art scene, the exhibition has become one of the most important exhibitions among African artists over the years.

According to organizers, this year’s theme is “Awakening” and features 58 artists from 33 countries exploring the various meanings and connotations of the term, including exhumation, mourning and uprooting.

In a statement distributed to the media, Dak’Art’s artistic director, Salimata Diop, said that the main idea behind this was to connect the past and the future by giving equal importance.

The guest of honor at this year’s show was the USA.

Works by African American artists have explored the cultural beliefs of the Lebou, one of Senegal’s ethnic groups, regarding the afterlife. The Lebou believe that in the afterlife, souls will live in the ocean forever.

There was also an entirely new alphabet depicted on the curly hairstyle of African hair, as well as an immersive exhibit that attempted to let viewers experience what it felt like to be a slave and be thrown into the water.

Diana Baird N’Diaye, curator of the exhibit, said the aftermath of slavery affected all Americans. He lives between the USA and Senegal. He added that the art on display is not just about the past, but also looks to the future.

“We are here because they escaped slavery in America,” he said. “We are here because our ancestors, our grandparents, survived Jim Crow.”

“And now we are at another important moment,” Baird N’Diaye said.

Dak’Art comes at a time when many countries in the region are moving away from their traditional Western allies and towards new partners such as Russia and China, which have a less complicated history in the region.

In a region rocked by coups and extreme violence in recent years, Senegal has managed to maintain its reputation as a stable democracy. Senegal’s ruling party, which will hold elections next week, has still promised to review its relations with Western countries, but has not taken any radical decisions so far.

Khady Diène Gaye, Senegal’s minister of youth, sports and culture, told reporters that the United States’ role as guest of honor was “an indication of the importance of art as a tool for dialogue between people, for promoting peace, for developing mutual understanding.” most importantly, as a means of economic and social development.”

Dak’Art will continue until December 7th. Originally scheduled for May, the event was postponed due to political tensions around April’s presidential election and funding problems for which new officials blamed the old administration.

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