Malick SidibéPainted Frames

Loose Joints’ latest publication, Painted Frames, introduces us to a little-known collection of works by the late Malick Sidibé. Nicknamed ‘the eye of Bamako,’ Sidibé documented the life, style, and energy of post-independence Mali with unparalleled intimacy. His iconic black-and-white photographs, ranging from the exuberant youth of Bamako’s dance halls to the confident subjects in his studio, captured a nation defining itself at a time of profound social and cultural change.

Painted Frames reinvents this legacy by pairing Sidibé’s characteristic portraits with colourful hand-painted frames, created in collaboration with the artist and local Malian artisans towards the end of Sidibé’s life. These frames were not mere ornaments, but functional objects, souvenirs and symbols of social status, given as gifts, circulated, cherished and shared. They reflect the joy, pride, and personal expression of Sidibé’s subjects, reminding us that his photography was always first and foremost a social practice, designed to celebrate the interconnectedness of African peoples, culture, and identity.

This latest series highlights Sidibé’s enduring commitment to celebrating Mali’s cultural modernity, emphasising that his works are dynamic pieces of social transmission rather than fetishised art objects. By superimposing painted borders onto photographic portraits, Sidibé brought new richness to his work, amplifying its role in celebrating social exchange, while also serving as a curatorial gesture in which he brought together the most important works from his diverse and expansive oeuvre in a jubilant explosion of colour and affirmation.