Tracing Shadows

Saïdou Dicko in the Print Sales room downstairs at the Photographers' Gallery:

Saïdou Dicko (b. 1979, Burkina Faso) is a self-taught artist whose practice spans photography, painting, video and installation. Now based in Paris, Dicko’s work remains deeply rooted in his early life as a shepherd in the Sahel, where he began drawing by tracing the shadows of his sheep in the sand. This formative act has since become the cornerstone of his work….

Dicko’s silhouetted figures are set against vivid patterned backgrounds that nod to Burkinabè textiles and the rich tradition of African studio photography. The distinctive cross motif, frequently painted above the figures’ heads, references a symbol often seen in the traditional rugs of his youth, evoking childhood memory and cultural continuity. Beads and jewellery remain visible, highlighting their cultural significance. Everyday items are elevated by the shadow children’s imaginative play and the artist’s symbolism. Dicko subtly reframes plastic vessels as essential tools in regions where access to clean water is limited – acknowledging the fragility of this reality while representing the care and creativity of sustainable reuse.

In the yacht with my cousin, T Sci Fi, 2023