Seydou Keita opened his studio in the early 1940s in Bamako. Keita’s ‘customers’ pose at will, alone or in groups, in couples, in family groups, full length or torso, sometimes with an object that symoblises their craft (pen and inkwell, sewing machine) or that simply belongs to them (radio, bike, moped).
A perfect mastery of light and composition and a sharp eye for staging make these portraits into exemplary artistic works. Keita’s work constitutes an irreplaceable and authentic memory of Malian society via an inventory of costumes, jewellery, poses, attitudes and expressions.