Fatoumata

About your local photographer

Photography is my life. Born in 1980 in Bamako, this young woman acknowledges her desire to perpetuate the legacy of her masters, from Seydou Keïta to Malick Sidibé, who photographed their contemporaries in their studios. While her work is inspired by this tradition, she brings her own personal touch to it.
In her youth, there was no sign of a future as a photographer. She only wanted one thing: "I wanted to work, earn my own money, and take care of my family. "However, in 2002, when she was a student at a Young Girl Training Center, her director sent her to an internship at CFP, the Bamako Photography School. She received lessons there for two years. "Commitment, motivation and dedication" - with these words, the head of the CFP spoke about his promising student.
Even after completing her training in 2004, she remained at the CFP to perfect her skills, especially in the field of analogue black and white photography. Soon after, she got a job as an assistant in the lab.
"One day I understood that an activity dedicated to love will sooner or later bring satisfaction,". This persistence should pay off soon. In 2005, her works were selected for the 5th edition of Rencontres de la Photography des Africaine de Bamako, where she won the Afrique en Créations prize.

Since then her clients have included Rolex, Oxfam and World Press Photo. Her work has been the subject of several exhibitions in Mali, France and abroad, including the Blachère Foundation (2012), the National Museum of Le Havre (2017), the Hong Museum in Chengdu and Shuter Art Space. Guangzhou (2019). She also took part in the Biennial of Photography of Bamako (2009, 2011), the festival Voies off in Arles (2018), the Dakar Biennale (2018) and the Photo Festival La Gacilly (2017). Since December 2017, she is president of the association of women photographers of Mali and in 2018, she was one of the 10 favorite African artist of Okay Africa Magazine. She is president of the association of women photographers of Mali and in 2018, she was one of the 10 favorite African artist of Okay Africa Magazine. She dreams of one day opening her own cultural center in Mali.
"I have taught all those who thought I was crazy to opt for photography - a so-called male domain. Today, the quality of my work is appreciated. "