SÉNÉGAL

Yeumbeul Sud Town Hall: In collaboration with Raph and Caligr, I created my first mural in Africa. I brought Ben one of my signature characters to life there on a symbolic wall: that of the Town Hall.

Second Mural: Still teaming up with Raph and Caligr, I painted my lemur, Bad Boy, adding a touch of playfulness to another section of the city wall.

Momar Khary Diop School: It was a particularly moving place. I painted a portrait of BOB another of my signature characters on the school wall, hoping the mural would bring inspiration and color to the students' daily lives.

Quatrième Mur: Finally, I created a character an aging "bad boy" carrying a boombox as a nod to the hip-hop culture and intergenerational transmission that drive street art.

Dakar Carnival

I had the honor of creating a painting at the Blaise Senghor Cultural Center for the Dakar Carnival.

For this piece, I collaborated with Caligr (France), Mal (Angola), and Douda (Senegal).

Each of us reinterpreted the "Bad Boy" spirit in our own way, resulting in a collaborative mural rich in diverse graphic styles and international perspectives.

Rafetal: An "Old Bad Boy" in Ngor

As part of the Rafetal beautification project in the picturesque fishing village of Ngor, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the artist Raph. This project aimed to contribute to the aesthetic transformation of public spaces on this iconic Dakar peninsula.

The artwork is a fusion of our respective artistic worlds: I revisited my "Old Bad Boy" character a figure rooted in street culture, often depicted with a bold, offbeat attitude. However, this version literally rises to new heights: the Bad Boy is painted standing atop a stack of loudspeakers.

The composition reflects our collaboration: while I created the central character using my signature graphic style, Raph completed the scene by adding the vibrant, sound-filled environment of the speakers. The piece creates a powerful visual resonance, symbolizing the role of music, sound, and urban pop culture at the heart of village life. It is a tribute to street culture, set within a location steeped in maritime history.

A big thank you to Marion and Ivo for the invitation :)

Kawsara Fall School Complex in Guediawaye

In collaboration with Senegalese artist Guiso Funtaké, I created a giant "Bob" mural on the school gate. It was a particularly memorable occasion, marked by a very warm atmosphere and the enthusiastic presence of the schoolchildren.

And a few collages...

And a few altered signs...

Taking advantage of my visit and the creative buzz, I also chose to extend my work beyond the designated walls. I created two altered "speed bump" signs in the cities of Guediawaye and Dakar. These interventions more ephemeral and subversive are a way to integrate art directly into daily life and to reintroduce playfulness and humor into regulated public spaces.

This trip to Senegal was not merely a collective artistic adventure but a profound human experience, demonstrating street art’s ability to transcend borders and restore dignity, joy, and a touch of whimsy to urban spaces whether through a monumental mural or a simple road sign.

This trip to Senegal was not merely an artistic adventure but a profound human experience, demonstrating the power of graffiti to transcend borders and restore dignity and joy to urban spaces.

Tambacounda / october 2016

My trip to Senegal was a deep, committed immersion in urban art as a vehicle for social connection and community development. My activities spanned several cities, blending the creation of monumental murals with a strong humanitarian commitment all while incorporating my signature practice of creatively repurposing road signs in the towns I visited.

In Tambacounda, the project centered on a form of grassroots patronage involving the beautification of local shop facades, culminating in a 40-meter monumental mural for the Festival de l'Union, created in collaboration with Talibé children. I also enriched the visual landscape of the Tambacounda Cultural Center with several artworks celebrating local figures.

This spirit of solidarity extended to other regions notably Samba Dia, where, at the invitation of artist Nowart, I painted two murals at preschools and led a stencil art workshop for local residents. In Mbour, I created a mural at the Xaley Kocc school complex that echoed an earlier work by Nowart. My visit to the village of Ngaye Mekhe provided an opportunity for an educational exchange at the local school, leaving behind an artistic mark on the community.

Perhaps the most significant undertaking was in Saint-Louis, where I created a mural at the And Taxawu Talibé center a vital hub for street children. This project helped highlight the plight of Talibé children, who are frequently victims of exploitation, while also conveying a message of support. Finally, my journey concluded in Dakar, where I took part in a collaborative mural in Darou Salam alongside the RBS Crew collective, a major player in the West African graffiti and hip-hop scene.

Alongside these projects, my approach as a nomadic artist manifested in the creative alteration of street signs in the various cities I visited, leaving a subtle yet omnipresent signature of my work throughout my journey across Senegal.

Djiguene & Goor Project

In collaboration with several cultural organizations in West Africa, I paid tribute to six women and six men through the creation of permanent murals. I organized an artistic tour that ran from September 8 to November 10, 2016. This project was dedicated to Africans both women and men who inspire and encourage the younger generation. With the Djiguene & Goor project, I wanted to showcase the faces of individuals who have made positive contributions to society. In each city, one woman and one man were honored. The selected individuals include environmentalists and people working with determination and selflessness to improve living conditions or foster their country's development.

Géraldine Bindia – Director of the Kedeukeur Orphanage

As the director of the "Edekeur" nursery/orphanage, Géraldine Bindia is a native of Tambacounda who is deeply committed to the welfare of children. The orphanage currently cares for twenty children. Despite the difficult times the facility has faced, Géraldine Bindia continues to fight for this noble cause.

Mamadou Sem – President of the Dugu Tigui Arts Association

"Negger Dou Tamba" hails from Tambacounda, Senegal. He developed a passion for hip-hop music early on, infusing it with a personal, raw, and outspoken style that contrasts with his humble and reserved demeanor. He began his career in 2004, and from 2008 onwards, he performed in Ziguinchor and Kolda alongside artists such as Simon, Gaston, Daddy Bibson, and Max Crazy. In March 2015, he became the first African artist-in-residence at the Sinthian Cultural Center, a facility built by a major American NGO. In February 2016, he undertook a major project to revitalize the Tambacounda Cultural Center an initiative in which I also participated. Founder and president of the Dugu/Tigui/Arts association, he created and coordinated the first Union Festival in March 2016. Since 2007, he has organized awareness-raising concerts focusing on STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections), STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), and AIDS in particular in collaboration with the Tambacounda adolescent counseling center. He has also long been an advocate for street children, known as talibés.

Artistic Projects at the Tambacounda Cultural Center

Following my fieldwork and my participation in the Union Festival, I continued my engagement by creating several distinctive artworks at the Tambacounda Cultural Center. These paintings, which celebrate local figures and symbols of urban culture, include:

• An Expressive Portrait: A piece focusing on the face and emotion.

• The Man with the Hyena: A stencil work featuring a man with a hyena, referencing local traditions and cultural figures often encountered in the area.

• The Young Man with the Boombox: A depiction of contemporary urban culture, showing a young man with a boombox (portable cassette player) a symbol of music and dance.

• The Gentleman and the Little Girl: A contrasting composition featuring a gentleman accompanied by a young girl, exploring themes of intergenerational connection and the passing on of knowledge.

These works enrich the Cultural Center’s visual heritage and offer visitors and local communities a bridge for dialogue between local tradition and contemporary artistic expression.

Free murals for local shopkeepers.

My time in Tambacounda was part of an artistic approach rooted in solidarity and community engagement. There, urban art served as a form of exchange and a means of fostering social connections standing in contrast to typical institutional projects or festivals.

Community Engagement and Exchange: During my stay, I put my skills as a stencil artist to work for the local community. I created several murals free of charge for shopkeepers in Tambacounda. These gifted artworks were often a way to express gratitude for the hospitality I received or to help beautify the facades and interiors of small businesses, thereby enhancing the appeal of the spaces where people live and work.

Art Serving the Local Economy: By transforming nondescript walls into works of art, these free murals injected color and uniqueness into Tambacounda’s urban landscape. It represents a form of grassroots patronage, where the artist engages directly with the local economic and social fabric, lending visibility and a unique visual identity to these community spaces.

Collaborative Mural for the Union Festival

As the highlight of this immersive experience, I had the opportunity to create a large mural—measuring 40 meters long by 2 meters high—for the Union Festival. This project was deeply collaborative, engaging local residents and, in particular, Talibé children (street children). Their involvement was wholehearted; the young participants clearly delighted in painting on a wall of such scale. This collective artwork stands as a powerful testament to art as a tool for social inclusion and expression, offering a moment of joy and shared creativity to the most vulnerable populations.

Saint-Louis / September 2016

Djiguene & Goor Project

In collaboration with several cultural organizations in West Africa, I paid tribute to six women and six men through the creation of permanent murals. I organized an artistic tour that ran from September 8 to November 10, 2016. This project was dedicated to Africans—both women and men—who inspire and encourage the younger generation. With the Djiguene & Goor project, I wanted to showcase the faces of individuals who have made positive contributions to society. In each city, one woman and one man were honored. The individuals selected were environmentalists and people working with determination and selflessness to improve living conditions or foster their country's development.

Maimouna Tounkara

President of the And Taxawu Talibés Association

Maimouna Tidiane Tounkara has served as coordinator of the And Taxawu Talibés association since 2005. Her social work began in 1997 when she took on the role of assistant treasurer. The association’s goal is to provide schooling for street children (known as talibés). Despite a lack of resources, she perseveres, overcoming challenges and obstacles along the way. In Saint-Louis, she is one of the few women leading an organization dedicated to the welfare of talibé children. Today, her work is widely recognized; this recognition led to a trip to the United States, where she was received by Hillary Clinton. She continues to fight for these children, and will do so as long as children's rights continue to be violated.

Baye Fall Bathily

Director of the Baye Event Association

Baye Fall Bathily is a native of Saint-Louis who contributes to the development of his city. He campaigns against unsanitary conditions. He is well-known in the social and humanitarian sectors thanks to the organization he established over two years ago to revitalize the fashion and culture of Saint-Louis—a city rich in history. He also represents the "Stop Mendicité" association in Saint-Louis, which campaigns against begging by talibé children.

Mako / March 2016

Samba Dia / February 2016

Collaboration with Nowart in Samba Dia: Art for Education

My journey of solidarity continued in the village of Samba Dia, following an invitation from the French street artist Nowart (Arnaud Rabier). In this spirit of sharing and supporting education, I created two murals at two different preschools. These artistic projects aim to beautify the learning environment for young children, providing them with a stimulating, colorful setting that reflects a positive and socially conscious approach to urban art.

French Alliance of Kaolack / February 2016

To complement these murals, I organized an introductory stencil workshop for the residents of Samba Dia. This participatory workshop introduced the community to stencil techniques, culminating in the creation of a collective mural with the participants. This collaborative work symbolizes cultural exchange and the village's embrace of urban art.

M'Bour / February 2016

Following these initiatives, I continued my commitment to social action by painting a mural on the exterior wall of the Xaley Kocc school complex in Mbour. This work aims to help beautify the educational environment for the school's students. It is worth noting that the artist Arnaud Rabier (Nowart) had already created a mural on this same wall, and my own piece was integrated into his work, creating an artistic dialogue between the two.

Ngaye Mekhe / February 2016

My work with young people continued in the small village of Ngaye Mekhe. I visited the local school to present my work and share my experience as an urban artist, fostering a direct and stimulating exchange with the children. The day concluded with the creation of a small painting on one of the school doors, leaving a tangible artistic mark on their daily lives and helping to beautify their school environment.

Petit Mbao / February 2016

Tambacounda / February 2016

Saint-Louis / February 2016

Humanitarian Commitment: The And Taxawu Talibé Center in Saint-Louis

My journey through Senegal took me to Saint-Louis, where I put my commitment to Talibé children into action. I created a mural at the And Taxawu Talibé center, an organization that works daily to provide support to street children.

The context of this project is crucial: Talibé children—Quranic students in Senegal—often come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are entrusted to the care of Quranic teachers (*marabouts*). Although the original intention was to provide religious education, this tradition has unfortunately been corrupted, leading to economic exploitation. These children are frequently forced to beg on the streets to support their teachers, living in highly precarious conditions without adequate access to formal education or healthcare. My work at the And Taxawu Talibé center aims to convey a message of support, hope, and dignity to these vulnerable young people.

Dakar / January 2016

Urban Collaboration in Dakar: The RBS Crew

My trip was enriched by a meaningful collaboration in Dakar, in the Darou Salam neighborhood. I took part in creating a mural alongside local artists from the RBS Crew collective.

Founded in Dakar in 2012, the RBS Crew has grown to become internationally influential. Comprising over 30 talented artists, this dynamic collective excels in graffiti, visual arts, and fine arts. Through their initiatives, events, and collaborations, RBS Crew members share their passion and expertise, enriching the art scene and hip-hop culture for more than a decade. This collaboration offered an opportunity to exchange creative energy and styles, aligning with my ongoing practice of working with local artistic communities.

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