SENEGAL, WORDS OF LIGHT

Some countries reveal themselves through what they show. Others through what they evoke. Senegal is a land where light is never simply a matter of brightness. It reveals, passes through, transforms. It touches bodies, materials, landscapes and memories. It brings shapes into view where, moments before, the eye could see only silence.

Senegal, Words of Light opens onto a chorus of voices:

The voice of memory and the future The voice of the land and elsewhere The voice of the body and the spirit The voice of matter and dreams

Distinct narratives, brought together to form a polyphony.

Here, Senegal is neither a fixed point of origin nor an identity to be defined. It is a land in motion, a space of creation, transmission and transformation.

A kingdom of childhood, where tradition is not set against modernity, but becomes one of the materials from which the present is made.

A land where artists continually shift the boundaries between reality and imagination, the local and the universal, the intimate and the collective.

For over twenty years, the Blachère Foundation has forged a unique history with Senegalese artists. The exhibition Senegal: Word of Light brings together 45 major figures from this vibrant scene, from founding generations to today’s emerging and established artists. The works presented reflect the encounters, residencies and friendships that have connected collector Jean-Paul Blachère with artists over the years, revealing a dynamic and ever-evolving art scene. Christine Blachère presents a sensitive, bold and resolutely contemporary Senegal, on view from 26 November 2026 to 6 March 2027 in Bonnieux.

In tribute to Jean-Paul Blachère, AKAA will present a preview selection of works from the Foundation’s exhibition in the VIP Lounge.