Omar Ba

Omar Ba (b. 1977, Fatick region, Senegal) is a contemporary Senegalese artist whose work addresses pressing global issues such as wealth inequality, immigration and humanity's shifting relationship with nature. Trained at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Dakar and the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Geneva, Ba lives and works between Dakar (Senegal) and Geneva (Switzerland).

 

Ba combines African and European cultural elements in his art, using diverse techniques and materials like corrugated cardboard, canvas, brushes and his hands. His works often feature symbolic figures and forms, rendered in vibrant primary colors layered over black backgrounds, creating intricate micro-worlds within broader compositions. His surreal imagery explores themes like colonialism, folklore, ancient Egypt and the intersection of African and European histories.

 

Ba's work has been exhibited widely, with solo shows at major institutions including the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and The Power Plant in Toronto. He has participated in group exhibitions at venues like the Centre Pompidou and Royal Academy of Arts. His works are part of prominent public collections, including the Fondation Louis Vuitton (Paris), Louvre Abu Dhabi and Swiss National Collection.