Alioune Diagne

Alioune Diagne (born 28 August 1985 in Kaffrine, Senegal) is a Franco-Senegalese contemporary artist. He is known for developing the Figuro-Abstro movement, which combines elements of figuration and abstraction, incorporating signs inspired by calligraphic motifs. His work draws on scenes from everyday life, Senegalese traditions, and the experiences of African diasporas. He explores contemporary themes such as irregular migration, pollution and the exploitation of natural resources in Africa. In 2024, he represented Senegal at its first national pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale.

Career Diagne's artistic development continued in France after he moved to Vienne (Isère) in 2010. He became involved in community-based art initiatives, including workshops and projects with local children.

He refers to his bodies of work as « collections » rather than « series », as it allows him to revisit themes intuitively without predefined constraints.

His early collections include Scènes de marchés sénégalais (senegalese market scenes) and Modou Modou, the latter focusing on the daily life of Senegalese migrant workers.

At that time, his work was exhibited in international venues such as Shanghai and Aosta. In 2019, he presented an exhibition titled Perceptions in Paris That year, the Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar acquired one of his works, The term Bokk, in Wolof, refers to shared values and family bonds.

In parallel, Diagne exhibited with Daniel Templon Gallery in Paris, Brussels, and New York. In 2024, he presented Seede ("testimony" in Wolof) in Paris, addressing the human toll of irregular migration across the Mediterranean. His work often depicts maritime rescues, a recurring theme.

His paintings have been acquired by institutions such as the Denver Art Museum and other international collections.

Figuro-abstro style Diagne developed the Figuro-Abstro style in 2013, following the death of his grandfather, a Quranic master, although he developed his style before discovering them. After his exhibition at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen, he became more interested in these European influences, which have since shaped aspects of his work.

His later influences include Cubism and Picasso's works referencing African masks,

Artistic Themes Diagne's work addresses various contemporary issues, including ecology, the role of women in society, racism, and questions of cultural transmission and heritage. a subject he has explored in several paintings. Some paintings seek to raise awareness among Senegalese and African youth about the risks involved and the challenges faced by migrants in Europe.

Diagne regularly portrays modou-modou - Senegalese migrant workers living abroad,

Exhibitions

Solo Shows

2025 : « Jokkoo », Galerie Templon, New York (USA) 2024 : "Bokk - Bounds", Senegalese Pavilion, Biennale di Venezia, Arsenale, Venice (Italy) 2024 : "Seede" (Witness), Galerie Templon, Paris (France) 2023 : "Ndox-Glint", Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen, Rouen (France) 2023 : "Tukki", Galerie Templon, Brussels (Belgium) 2022 : "Ëttu Kër - Cour intérieure", Grand Théâtre National de Dakar – Special Pavilion at the Dakar Biennale (Senegal) 2020 : "WONEMA – Let me see", Dakar (Senegal) 2019 : "PERCEPTIONS", We Art Partners, Paris (France) 2017 : "Un nouveau regard", Finaosta Exhibition Hall, Aosta (Italy) 2017 : Solo exhibition during ArtBasel, Basel (Switzerland)

Group Shows

2024 : Senegal Pavilion, Dakar Biennale, Musée des Civilisations Noires, Dakar (Senegal) 2023 : Africa Supernova, Kunsthal KAdE, Amersfoort (Netherlands) 2023 : Norval Sovereign Art Prize 2023, Norval Foundation, Cape Town (South Africa) 2022 : Official selection of the Dakar Biennale, Palais de Justice, Dakar (Senegal) 2019 : Hommage à Fatma Charfi, Galerie Nationale, Dakar (Senegal) 2016 : Galerie Pélussin (France) 2016 : Galerie Artbank, Shanghai (China) 2016 : Galerie Arte, Dakar (Senegal) 2016 : Biennale Off Dak'Art 2016, Loman (Senegal) 2015 : Salon African Art Fair, Paris (France) 2014 :11e Biennale de Dakar, Saint-Louis (Senegal) 2014 : Sink or Swim, 11e Biennale de Dakar, Villa Spivey, Dakar (Senegal) 2014 : Figuro Abstro, Galerie Rêves d'Afrique, Saint-Étienne (France) 2014 : Itinéraire en Couleurs, Espace Jean Drevon (France) 2013 : 10e édition, hall de l'hôpital Lucien Hussel, Vienne (France) 2013 : Collabor'Action, Galerie Loman Art, Dakar (Sénégal)

Collections

Domaine Privé de l'Etat du Sénégal, Museum of Black Civilizations Denver Art Museum Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art Schulting Collection Artistic Museum of Contemporary Art (AMOCA), Cardiff Schneider Foundation, Wattwiller

Publications

Dagen, Philippe ; Mbaye, Massamba. Bokk-Bounds, BiennalediVenezia. Les presses du réel : Paris, 2024 Calame-Levert, Florence ; Chaizemartin, Julie. Alioune Diagne Ndox-Glint - Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen. Galerie Templon : Paris, 2022 Ëttu Kër – Cour intérieure - Grand Théâtre National de Dakar. We Art Partners : Paris, 2022. Alioune Diagne, PERCEPTIONS. Éditions Internationales du Patrimoine : Paris, 2019 Galerie Nationale ; Ndiaye Abdou Diouf. Hommage à Fatma Charfi par les artistes sénégalais.Fatma Charfi Association : Dakar, 2019.