Malick Sidibé: Mali Twist

Mali Twist offers an essential and immersive survey of the beloved African photographer Malick Sidibé—nicknamed “the eye of Bamako”—who chronicled the exuberant youth culture of his native Bamako, Mali, in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. The book is structured around his famous series: studio portraits in which young people pose alone or in groups, sometimes accompanied by quirky accessories; photographs of parties that radiate spontaneity and joy; and the comparatively lesser-known outdoor photography, depicting scenes at (for example) the edge of the Niger River, or at local swimming pools and villages. In addition to these iconic series, many previously unpublished photographs are gathered here, as well as archival documents. The series are punctuated by the authors’ texts, including testimony from friends of the photographer. With elegant paper changes and fabulous printing, this volume is a celebration of the postwar African vernacular.