I initiated and produced the group exhibition Ndiakhass at the Intercultural Museum in Oslo, featuring two artists based in Oslo and four based in Dakar. The project began in Dakar, Senegal, and was further developed in Oslo.
With a shared foundation in Dakar, the Norwegian and Senegalese artists explored different artistic directions—both global and local. Together, we examined the intersections between Norwegian and Senegalese contemporary art, moving away from the idea of a traditional group exhibition. Instead, we developed a collective approach where the dialogue between the artworks created a cohesive experience for the audience.
My contribution to the exhibition, “A Carpet for Dakar”, is the result of an artist residency in Saint-Louis, Senegal (2022), where I portrayed young people wearing imitations of Western luxury brands. This later evolved into a solo exhibition in Dakar I *Et teppe for Dakar* er portrettene sydd sammen til én helhet. On the reverse side, I used various textiles from Senegal, processed through quilting techniques and painting.
A central element of the project was a “design performance”—a fashion show held in connection with the exhibition opening The art scene in Dakar is often more interdisciplinary than in Norway, and artists move seamlessly between various disciplines. Designers and artists Cheikha Sigil and Elizabeth Relin (WOWO), who work at the intersection of art and design, were invited to create a fashion show at Grønland Square, just outside the Intercultural Museum. This was part of grounding the exhibition locally—while also uplifting the neighborhood through public art.
The exhibition included works by Samba Fall (SE/NO), Ibrahima Thiam (SE), Fatim Soumaré (SE), Cheikha Sigil (SE), Alioune Badara Diop (SE), and Torunn Skjelland (NO). What the artists have in common is that they operate both globally and locally. Their works stand independent of gender, time, and place, and their expressions could be geographically situated in many parts of the world. Still, they share a local grounding in Dakar. Four of the artists work from an African perspective, one from a European, and one from the cultural in-between space—the diaspora.
Thanks to Oslo Museum and the Intercultural Museum for a fantastic collaboration. Also, thanks to Fritt Ord, the Norwegian Arts Council, the Bergesen Foundation, and the City of Oslo for their support
Photos – Vernissage and Fashion Show: Eirill Delonge
Exhibition Documentation: Hanne C. Olsen