Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy

\El Hadji Sy

El Hadji Sy, *1954 in Dakar, Senegal,
lives and works in Dakar, Senegal

Photo © Pap Bâ

Text by Clémentine Deliss

Download bibliography

El Hadji Sy (also known as El Sy) was born 1954 in Dakar where he lives and works. As a painter, performer, curator and activist, Sy has shaped Senegalese art and culture significantly for several decades.

Sy studied at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Dakar from 1973 -1977. He belongs to the second generation of Senegalese artists who came after the renowned École de Dakar. In defiance of Léopold Sédar Senghor’s cultural régime, Sy painted with his feet for 10 years, refusing to be part of received art historical canons. At the same time, he organized the takeover of a disused colonial military building in the centre of Dakar. The space became the headquarters for an entire generation of Senegalese artists including musicians Baaba Maal.

Read more

Selected Works

Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ Le Regardeur (2020)

El Hadji Sy

Le Regardeur (2020)
Mixed media: acrylic, oil and tar on canvas
225 x 184 cm
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ Les Nubians (2017)

El Hadji Sy

Les Nubians (2017)
Mixed media, acrylic, oil and tar
200 x 160 cm
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ Untitled (2016)

El Hadji Sy

Untitled (2016)
acrylic, oil, tar
74.5 x 133 cm | 29 3/8 x 52 3/8 in
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ Canneset pétales (2019)

El Hadji Sy

Canneset pétales (2019)
Mixed media, acryl and tar on canvas
206,5 x 59 cm
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ C14 C29 C19, 2021 (2021)

El Hadji Sy

C14 C29 C19, 2021 (2021)
Acrylic and tar on galvanized steel
65 x 50 cm
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ Untitled (2021)

El Hadji Sy

Untitled (2021)
2021
Acrylic on jute
52 x 51 x 3,5 cm
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ Untitled, 2021 (2021)

El Hadji Sy

Untitled, 2021 (2021)
Acrylic on jute
51 x 51 x 3,5 cm
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ Doigt de Pianiste (Pianist FInger) (2021)

El Hadji Sy

Doigt de Pianiste (Pianist FInger) (2021)
Mixed Media, Wood, rope, acrylic paint
265 x 35 x 15 cm
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ Le Cheval de Ndagane (2021)

El Hadji Sy

Le Cheval de Ndagane (2021)
Mixed Media, Wood, rope, acrylic paint
227 x 63 x 15 cm
Galerie Barbara Thumm \ El Hadji Sy \ Femme Casamancaise (2021)

El Hadji Sy

Femme Casamancaise (2021)
Mixed Media, Wood, rope, acrylic paint
235 x 53 x 15 cm

Gallery Exhibitions

External Exhibitions