b. 1945, Senegal
Seyni Awa Camara is a highly celebrated self-taught ceramic sculptor who lives and works in Bignona, Senegal. Raised by her mother who was also a potter, learning the traditional techniques of pottery at a young age. She soon moved away from the utilitarian character of the object towards an exploration of timelessness and status as a Wolof woman with an obligation to unite past and present.
Her figurative homages to maternity and reflections on her Jola identitiy have been celebrated internationally. Initially at the legendary Magiciens de la terre exhibition at the Centre Georges Pompidou and the Grande halle de la Villette in 1989 to most recently Ex Africa at Musee du quai Branly, curated by Philippe Dagen and the 13th Gwangju biennale in 2021.
Camara’s animistic terracottas are collected by museums and individuals worldwide, communicating the mystical qualities of motherhood within her community.