Abdoulaye Konaté
Born in 1953 in the Tombouctou region, in Diré, Abdoulaye Konaté studied at the National Institute of Arts in Bamako and later at the Higher Institute of Arts in Havana, Cuba. Upon returning to Mali, he served as Head of the Department at the National Museum of Mali. He went on to become the General Director of the Palace of Culture, Director of the African Photography Encounters, and Advisor to the Minister of Culture. Konaté is also one of the founding members of the African Fund for Culture.
In his commitment to sharing his experience with the youth of his country, he founded the Conservatory of Multimedia Arts and Crafts Ballafasseké Kouyaté in Bamako in 2002 under the supervision of the state. This institution quickly became a multidisciplinary reference in training for arts and culture-related professions. His extensive career in cultural administration and his insightful understanding of skill development needs enabled him to design a coherent pedagogical project adapted to local realities. With the support of various partners, the institution was equipped with high-quality technical facilities and assembled a team of qualified trainers and established artists.
Balancing his roles as an intellectual, cultural institution administrator, educator, and artist, Konaté has managed to prioritize them with conviction and passion. However, his artistic journey stands out the most, earning him numerous awards and securing his place in prestigious collections.
Select Exhibitions
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2025: Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE, Eclectica Contemporary, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, South Africa
2024: TEMPLON, Brussels, Belgium
2023: Prélude, LGDR, Paris, France
2022: Les Petits Tableaux, Primae Noctis Art Gallery, Lugano, Switzerland / Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, Italy, Lune Bleue, Espace Dominique Bagouet, Montpellier, France, The Diffusion of Infinite Things, Standing Pine, Nagoya, Japan
2020: Idéogrammes, signes, symboles et logos, Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, South Africa, Couleur d’âme, Blain|Southern, New York, USA, Abdoulaye Konaté, Gallery 1957, Accra, Ghana
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Smithsonian Museum, Washington, USA | Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA | Centre Pompidou, Paris, France | Tate Modern, London, UK | MoMA, New York, USA | Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE | Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Netherlands | National Museum of Mali, Bamako, Mali | Museum of Black Civilizations, Dakar, Senegal | MACAAL, Marrakech, Morocco
AWARDS AND HONOURS
2024: Medal of Merit in Arts and Culture, Mali | 2023: Order of Merit in Arts, Letters, and Communication, Burkina Faso | 2022: Knight of the National Order of the Lion, Senegal | 2019: Honorary Doctorate, University of Arts, Havana, Cuba | 2009: Officer of the National Order of Mali | 2008: Passport Prize – Creators Without Borders, France | 2002: Knight of the National Order of Mali | Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, France | 1996: Prize of the Dakar Biennale, Senegal | 1985: First Prize in Painting, 13 Marzo Salon, University of Havana, Cuba
Select Works:
ABDOULAYE KONATÉ
Coucher de soleil avec motifs Arkilla kerkapeulh, 2024
Mixed media
190 × 136.5 cm
SOLD
ABDOULAYE KONATÉ
Composition en gris coloré, 2023
Mixed media
207 × 147 cm
ABDOULAYE KONATÉ
Source de Lumiere, 2024
Mixed media textile
120 x 169 cm
ABDOULAYE KONATÉ
Posanges et motifs Afrika, 2024
Mixed media textile
121 x 170 cm
ABDOULAYE KONATÉ
Série bleue, motifs du Sahel, 2025
Mixed media textile
212 x 150 cm