We are now in week 3 of the Dak’art Biennale, the only Biennale of the Contemporary African Arts on the African Continent. Currently in its 12th Edition and I’m sitting here in the Netherlands, following the whole thing via the internet, really wishing I was there!  Right now I’m more housebound with two young children, but in the future I look forward to attend one! Fingers crossed.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFgYIfSrP5C/?taken-by=isabellaelhasan

I’m letting myself get inspired by the Biennale, to create new work and also to share art coming from the Biennale in Dakar.

This time, I’m inspired by Goree Island:

photo source: http://www.4gress.com/sights/entry/100945.html:

photo’s by from Instagram by @Delphine_delphine  > www.ainsivalavie.co

photo by: @paclechap

photo by: @shelsees

The Door of no Return leads straight out to sea, the horror which has taken place on this island can’t be imagined… Men, women and children captured under appalling circumstances to be sold on as slaves.  It now serves as a memorial site, a bit like Auschwitz. But people are still living on the island and artists are to be found everywhere.

Click on the image below to go the website, these are 5 short videos about the Dak’art Biennale, the first one is on Goree Island. It’s in German (also available in French), so apologies to the English speakers, but it’s nice to see the images anyway:

Goree artist: Corentin Faye aka Mister Co

I was inspired to make today’s drawing by a post on Instagram by @lagosunderground (as part of their @dakarlives takeover)

“Instead of the sea, what we saw was a light shining through the door of no return”

I found it really hope giving and inspiring.. Even though the Door of No Return has become a symbol of despair and immense human suffering, it can also show you light..there is always hope.

This 2 minute animation gives a scary insight into the scale of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Click on this image below to see the animation:

Wanted to finish the blog post with music by Julia Sarr.

She’s an Excellent musician (Afro-Jazz scene) who resides in France and has Senegalese heritage.

An ode to Senegal: “Manko” (written by Alune Wade).

Hope you are enjoying my “Dak’art journey” so far, I will be back with a new post next Thursday (skipping Monday this time).

Much Love, Salam

Isabella