An afternoon with photographer Omar Victor Diop

Omar Victor Diop

1980, Dakar, Senegal

“My intention is to show the struggle of my people, their moments of pride, their altruism, their incredible diversity and their capacity to adapt.”

Omar Victor Diop’s work connects the history and modernity of African societies, whether by sublimating their lifestyles or colouring their self-image. For his series Diaspora (2014), Diop produced staged portraits of himself representing notable African figures from history. The series Liberty (2017) evokes and juxtaposes key moments of Black protests. While these events are distinct in time, geography and scope, Diop places them in a common chronology – that of a quest for freedom that is too often scorned. These representations are a tribute to those who aspire to freedom and dignity.

After graduating from the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris, Omar Victor Diop first worked for British American Tobacco in Africa. In 2011, he abandoned corporate communications to devote himself fully to his career as an artist. He lives and works in Paris and Dakar.