Malick Sidibe
MALICK SIDIBE
Both business and communal meeting place, Studio Malick became a focal point for Sidibés work as a reporter, documenting Bamako social events, parties, dances and many youth clubs in the nineteen sixties. After nights photographing Bamakos social scene, Sidibé would often return to the studio to develop and print his images, which he would then display in the Studios windows. When the social clubs began to close in the mid-70s Sidibé ended his reportage, but continued with his studio portraiture:
"In my studio, I like doing composition work. The photographers relationship with his subject is established by touch. You had to arrange the person to find the right profile, light the face properly to catch the outline and features, and find the right light to make the body look beautiful."
Both portrait studio and camera repair shop, Studio Malick has been central to the daily practice of Sidibés art since its inception.
"In front of my studio it was always very lively! Id put up a large sign: Studio Malick, six-feet-by-three, with a neon light. It was the only place that was lit up outside. It gave me lots of publicity but it cost me a lot too! At weekend that place was jammed! I had quite a name. Children came up and gawked at me and often went to sleep on the spot. Men would meet there and yarn. Around 9 p.m. the night clubbers would come and see their photos on display, and play cards or ludo. They would organize competitions and the winner would get a plucked chicken!"
Malick Sidibé was honored in 2008 with the International Center of Photography Infinity Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2007 Sidibe was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement by the Board of La Biennale di Venecia and in 2003 Sidibé was the recipient of the Hasselblad Award.
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Untitled
1974
5 5/8 X 3 1/2
