Malick Welli was born in 1990 in Kaffrine, Senegal.
Malick is a visual artist and photographer. Through his multidisciplinary practice, Welli delves into profound themes of duality, spirituality, history, and the restitution of memory, offering a nuanced interrogation of identity, belonging, and displacement.
His art, marked by a sense of mysticism and deep introspection, navigates the complex interplay between religion, material culture, economic dynamics, and power structures, challenging their influence on contemporary narratives and societal perceptions.
In his series "Forgotten Paradise: Passage", created in collaboration with Charlotte Brathwaite during their residencies as Artists-in-Residence at the Guild Hall of East Hampton, Malick turns his gaze to the enduring legacies of the transatlantic slave trade. This poignant body of work examines the histories of enslaved and forcibly displaced peoples, transforming an archive of collective trauma into a space for healing and remembrance.
Through evocative imagery and symbolic elements such as water, flight, and ritual, the series acknowledges the dreams, hopes, and resilience of the displaced, reimagining their inner lives and acts of resistance. The sea, a recurring motif, serves as both a silent witness to history and a metaphor for identity—its ebb and flow reflecting the cyclical nature of time and the potential for renewal. By inviting viewers into this reflective space, Welli envisions futures grounded in unity and healing.
Malick Welli’s work has earned international recognition, showcased in renowned institutions and cultural events worldwide. His works have been presented at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden (Netherlands), the Chazen Museum of Art in Wisconsin, (USA), as well as at major biennales such as the Cairo Biennale and the Dakar Biennale.
Malick Welli lives and works in Dakar, Senegal.