Divine Art Book – Portraiture & Collages – 12 years of work

Significant aspects of Delphine Diallo’s Art Divine : Women Warriors – Roots & Family

Date: June 23 2024

Location: Brooklyn based, USA

Significant aspects of her art

Divine Women Warriors:

In her book “Divine,” Delphine Diallo gathers her most iconic portraits, reaffirming her commitment to capturing black women with strength and dignity.

Her photographs resonate with earthy tones, warrior-like body paint, bare skin, totemic animals, and majestic headdresses.

Diallo masterfully blends mythology and history

Diallo masterfully blends mythology and history, bridging the gap between colonial and African narratives. Her images challenge stereotypes and offer a fresh perspective on the representation of black women in society.

Each chapter in “Divine” evokes powerful archetypes: the oracle, the spiritual warrior, and even Kali (the Hindu goddess of preservation, transformation, and destruction).

These figures empower her models, allowing them to reclaim their identity and essence.

Roots and Family, serene, compassionate, and deeply rooted work

Since 2003, Delphine Diallo has documented her family in Senegal, specifically between Dakar and St. Louis.

Her ongoing project captures uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and the ever-growing family tree.
The energy in these photographs is serene, compassionate, and deeply rooted.

Through this intimate exploration, Diallo connects with her heritage, emphasizing the peaceful essence of familial bonds.
Her lens reveals the beauty and resilience of everyday life in Senegal.

Delphine Diallo’s art

Delphine Diallo’s art transcends boundaries, weaving together spirituality, history, and personal connections.
She invites us to question, celebrate, and honor the multifaceted narratives that shape our world

Delphine Diallo’s art is a captivating blend of storytelling, spirituality, and empowerment.
Let’s explore some significant aspects of her work:

Delphine Diallo Divine Power

Delphine Diallo’s magnetic force transports us into a world of wonder and legends.
Her multidirectional approach encompasses the body, African heritage, history, and spirituality.

She defies norms, deconstructs colonial imagery, and makes the invisible visible.

Her creations resonate with emotional depth, challenging our perceptions and leaving a lasting impact.

Roots & Family

Since 2003, Diallo has documented her family in Senegal, capturing their energy—peaceful and compassionate.
Her visual language empowers women, turning them into goddesses.

Through her lens, she honors the divine female body, weaving ancestral connections into her art.

Goddesses, celebrating, the “divine female body

She portrays friends and family members as goddesses, celebrating what she calls the “divine female body.”
Through body paint, jewelry, and attire, she elevates her subjects, creating new legends and redefining portraiture.

Warrior Women
Delphine Diallo’s book “Divine” features iconic portraits of Black women.
With strength and dignity, she captures their essence, reaffirming her commitment to portraying women warriors.

In summary, Delphine Diallo’s work transcends boundaries, celebrates heritage, and empowers women—a testament to the divine within us all.

Delphine Diallo is a Brooklyn-based French and Senegalese visual artist and photographer

Delphine Diallo is a Brooklyn-based French and Senegalese visual artist and photographer.

Born into a creative family with French-Senegalese roots, her journey in artistry began with music, graphic design, and artistic direction.

However, a pivotal encounter with North-American photographer Peter Beard transformed her path, leading her to embrace photography fully and learn invaluable practical lessons.

The traditional gaze of photography, particularly its sexist and racist legacy

Diallo’s mission centers on challenging the traditional gaze of photography, particularly its sexist and racist legacy.

Empowering Visual Language
Since 2014, she has crafted a visual language that empowers both herself and the women who become her protagonists.

Mythology and Legends – Diallo’s art celebrates black women, envisioning a future matriarchal society

She turns friends and family members into goddesses, honoring what she calls the “divine female body.”

Through body paint, jewelry, and various attires, Diallo empowers her subjects, challenging the historical genre of portraiture.

Her work evokes mythology and gives black women their rightful place in the pantheon, aiming for inclusive and transnational representations.

Diallo’s art celebrates black women, envisioning a future matriarchal society

Diallo’s photographic expression incorporates spiritual symbols, evoking mythology and giving black women their rightful place in the pantheon.

Her work aspires to create new legends, elevating her subjects beyond assumptions.

Her inspiration draws from martial arts, non-western literature, and spirituality.

Diallo also explores self-portraiture, turning mental images into meticulously crafted scenes.

Working with digital and analogue photography, she experiments with AI, drawings, and found imagery.
Her work invites viewers to engage with politics and imagination, aiming for inclusive and transnational representations.

In essence, Delphine Diallo proposes provocative visuals and innovative iconographies, envisioning a future matriarchal society .

Delphine Diallo has been exploring new creative avenues

Delphine Diallo has been exploring new creative avenues by expanding her artistic toolkit. Here’s how she does it:

AI

Diallo delves into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) to create captivating images.
By leveraging AI algorithms, she can generate unique visual content that pushes the boundaries of traditional photography.

Drawings

She incorporates hand-drawn elements into her work. These drawings add a personal touch and allow her to infuse her vision with raw creativity.

Found Imagery

Diallo scavenges through existing visual material, repurposing and recontextualizing it.
This approach allows her to weave narratives and share stories using pre-existing images.

Through these experimental techniques, Delphine Diallo continues to challenge conventions, celebrate black women, and create thought-provoking art that resonates with viewers.

Ethical Representation
Diallo is committed to ethical representation. She builds long-term relationships with her sitters, ensuring that her portrayal of them is respectful and authentic.

Expanding Tools

Beyond traditional photography, Diallo explores various tools such as AI, drawings, and found imagery. She recently delved into collages and montages, expanding her narrative possibilities.

Gazing Back
Diallo’s work is her way of “gazing back,” celebrating black women and dreaming of a future matriarchal society. Her provocative visuals challenge viewers’ perspectives and ignite imagination.

Delphine Diallo’s art stands as a testament to resilience

In a world where representation matters, Delphine Diallo’s art stands as a testament to resilience, empowerment, and the beauty of diversity.

Through her captivating visual language, she celebrates black women, challenging societal norms and stereotypes.
By portraying her subjects as goddesses and incorporating spiritual symbols, she elevates them beyond assumptions.

Diallo’s work gazes back at the viewer, envisioning a future matriarchal society where black women are rightfully honored.
Her commitment to ethical representation and her exploration of various artistic tools further amplify her impact.

Divine Art Book Portraiture & Collage