African creatives are gradually getting the deserved recognition from outside the continent. From fashion designers to photographers, there’s been a notable rise of Africans in the midst of non-African productions, events, and listings. Senegalese visual artist, Djibril Drame, has also seen this feat.
The photographer, whose works shed light on socially relevant and potentially controversial issues, has been featured by Vogue USA as well as Vogue Japan. The article, titled Creativity In Motion, rounds up the works of 21 photographers from 21 countries around the world.
After Vogue USA’s feature, Drame gets another one from Vogue Japan. This one is titled “A trip to Senegal and Dakar navigated by Nana Komatsu. The charm of Chanel’s show is also released!” It sees more than 20 images of Japanese actress Nana Komatsu, and scenes from Chanel’s unveiling of its 2022-23 Metiers d’art collection, shot by Drame in Dakar, Senegal.
Serving as an inspiration for upcoming African creatives, he’s been heavily involved in filmmaking. Two short movies have already been released by him. These short films have gone on to feature in festivals and art tours internationally. Some of his works have been featured at international fine art fairs such as Art X Lagos, 154 African Art Fair London, and AKAA Fair.
Drame has been using photography as a tool to express his art as a self-taught artist. In 2019, he was invited as a special guest at Key West Photography Festival in Florida. In 2021, Djibril did his first exhibition in Lagos with Dada Gallery. His first solo show was back in 2012 in Freiburg at the Haus der Jugend.
His works touch on the many aspects of Africa’s multifaceted history and innumerable intertwined cultures, offering an alternative African narrative. Djibril’s works are mostly created in Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Guinea. He spent three years in Los Angeles, after which he decided to move back to his homeland to be based out there.
