Maïmouna Guerresi

Maïmouna Guerresi (b. 1951; Vicenza, Italy) works in a hybrid embrace of ancestry from African, Asian and European cultures, following her conversion to Islam.  

Guerresi, who is known for her photographic series but also has a strong practice in sculpture, textile works, installation, and video; presents an intimate perspective on human spirituality in relation to mysticism, shedding a new light on community and the soul, heavily influenced by Sufi traditions in Senegal, Sudan, and Morocco. Recurrent symbols such as milk, light, the hijab, and nature are used in her work to create awareness of the unifying qualities of Islamic spirituality. The images are delicate narratives with fluid sequencing, an appreciation of shared humanity beyond borders – psychological, cultural, and political.    

She has exhibited in prominent institutions such as the Venice Biennale (Italian Pavilion), Documenta, National Museum of Bamako, KIASMA Museum of Contemporary Art of Helsinki, Bahrain National Museum, Sharjah Art Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, I.M.A Institute du Monde Arabe, the 13th Cairo Biennale, The Lagos Photo Festival, LOBA Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Shanghai Center of Photography, Gallery Gongbech, and Kyotographie, among others.   

Her works are included in private and public collections worldwide, including the Boghossian Foundation, GAM Galleria Arte Moderna Achille Forti, Minneapolis Institute of Art, LACMA Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of African, Contemporary Art Al Maaden, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.