Winner of the ellipse Prize 2021

Atelier Ndokette / Ibrahima Ndome

Atelier Ndokette is a three-artists collective created in 2019 between Dakar, Paris and Conakry.

Ibrahima Ndome / Atelier Ndokette collective, winner of the ellipse Prize dedicated to Senegal

Ibrahima Ndome, Safi Niang and Souleymane Bachir Diaw use photography and stylism as principal media Ndokette, Senegalese word meaning tunic, represents for the collective, beyond a clothing tradition, a marker of the Senegalese cultural patrimony travelling through time.

The collective questions the temporality topic through photography, video and performance in search of the present moment, free of a recalled past and an idealized future.

Sensitivity through time and matter

“Ndokette Session” is the central project of the collective, composed by a series of photos and a short film born from the curiosity concerning the word “Ndokette”. This word and what it means are part of the Senegalese, and more broadly African, cultural heritage from which the three artists wanted to depict how sociocultural phenomenon resonate in them.

In this way, the collective has chosen to depict people, in a certain geographical area at a specific time, going through different stages of life. To do so, they use concepts linked to rituals to remind us of their importance, and put a question mark on beliefs and feelings. Through this work, they question, not to destroy, but to build and transition. It’s also a call to master the imaginary once again; not to dream it, fetishize it or consume it, but to live it fully, produce it and embrace it.

Déposez votre candidature pour le Prix ellipse 2024

L’appel à candidatures est dédié aux artistes visuels 18/40 ans, résidant au Bénin ou béninois résidant sur le continent.

Les candidats doivent également être non représentés (en contrat) avec une galerie.

L’éligibilité de chaque candidat reste à l’appréciation de l’organisateur (voir détails dans le règlement ci-dessous).

Pour déposer votre candidature, il suffit de remplir ce formulaire en fournissant les informations obligatoires (*).

Les participants doivent également déposer un portfolio de leur travail (5 à 10 œuvres, template ci-dessous si besoin) ainsi qu’un projet d’exposition en lien avec la thématique 2024 (détaillée ci-dessous) qui fera l’objet de l’exposition du futur lauréat lors de la foire AKAA en octobre 2024 à Paris.

Apply for the Ellipse 2024 Prize

The call for applications is dedicated to visual artists aged 18/40, living in Benin or Beninese living on the continent.

Candidates must also be unrepresented (under contract) with a gallery.

The eligibility of each candidate remains at the discretion of the organizer (see details in the rules below).

To apply, simply fill in this form with the required information (*).

Participants must also submit a portfolio of their work (5 to 10 artworks, template below if required) as well as an exhibition project in line with the 2024 theme (detailed below), which will be the subject of the future winner’s exhibition at the AKAA fair in October 2024 in Paris.