cv | Salimata Diop

A committed figure on the contemporary cultural scene, Salimata Diop is a French-Senegalese curator, art critic, and composer. Her practice focuses on the emergence of new global narratives and the dynamics of transmission. By placing intercultural dialogue at the heart of her approach, she supports artists in creating transcultural, engaged spaces for reflection.

Appointed Artistic Director of the 15th edition of the Dakar Biennale, she orchestrated its 2024 programming around the theme The Wake / Xàll wi, examining concepts of wake, memory, and metamorphosis through the lens of artists envisioned as sentinels of global imaginaries.

This approach is rooted in a demanding, multidisciplinary academic background: after growing up between Saint-Louis and Dakar, Salimata Diop completed her preparatory classes (Hypokhâgne and Khâgne) at the Maison d'Éducation de la Légion d'Honneur, before earning two Master's degrees from Paris-Sorbonne University, as well as the University of Warwick and IESA.

Figure engagée de la scène culturelle contemporaine, Salimata Diop est une commissaire d’exposition, critique d’art et compositrice franco-sénégalaise. Sa pratique se centre sur l'émergence de nouveaux narratifs globaux et les dynamiques de transmission. En plaçant le dialogue interculturel au cœur de sa démarche, elle accompagne les artistes dans la création d'espaces de réflexion transculturels et engagés.
Nommée directrice artistique de la 15ᵉ édition de la Biennale de Dakar, elle en orchestre la programmation en 2024 autour de la thématique The Wake / Xàll wi, interrogeant les notions de sillage, de mémoire et de métamorphose à travers le regard d'artistes envisagés comme sentinelles des imaginaires globaux.

Cette démarche s'enracine dans un parcours académique exigeant et pluridisciplinaire : après avoir grandi entre Saint-Louis et Dakar, Salimata Diop effectue sa classe préparatoire (Hypokhâgne et Khâgne) à la Maison d'Éducation de la Légion d'Honneur, avant de poursuivre deux Masters à la Sorbonne (Paris IV) ainsi qu'à l'Université de Warwick et à l'IESA.

ESUON - Eu Sou Um Oceano Negro (2025 – ongoing): Co-founder with artist Beya Gille Gacha. Itinerant residency and exhibition programme launched in Bahia (Casa do Benin, Casa Bráfrica, Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut) and continued in Dakar (Galerie Le Manège).
Henrike Grohs Art Award (2026): Jury member for the contemporary art award.
Prix AWARE (2026): Jury member for the AWARE Prizes for women artists.
"De la fécondité de la ruine" - (2025): Artistic director and curator, Hôtel de Craon, Fonds Encore, La Rochelle.
Exhibition "Le Chemin de la Tortue" Beya Gille Gacha (2025): Curator, Carré Amelot, La Rochelle.
Art Basel Paris - Conversations (2024): Speaker for the panel "Dakar: Atlantic New Wave" at the Grand Palais, Paris.
Dakar Biennale - Dak'Art (2024): Artistic director of the 15th edition centered around the theme "The Wake / Xàll wi".
"Les Chemins de Yemoja" by Laeïla Adjovi (2024): Curator at Centre Intermondes, La Rochelle.
Exposition "Pourquoi j'ai arraché ma peau" Beya Gille Gacha (2023): Curator, Tropiques Atrium, Scène Nationale de Fort-de-France.
Exposition "Les Chants invincibles" (2022): Curator, Villa Consul, Dakar (Dakar Biennale Off).
CAX / CANEX - Creative Africa Nexus (2020), Kigali. Speaker - UNESCO delegation.
What I won't tell you, (2019) Kaloki Nyamai, Curator, Septieme galley, Paris.
Edmond de Rothschild Foundations (2019): Contemporary art expert - Consultant for the emerging visual arts sector.
UNESCO & Sotheby's Conference - Paris (November 2018): Speaker on contemporary creation and emerging markets.
BRIDGE - Dakar (2018): Founder and director of the contemporary art festival and art advisory platform, launched with the exhibition "La Villa Rouge" (Dakar Biennale Off).
MUPHO - Saint-Louis, Senegal (2017 – 2018): Co-founder with Amadou Diaw and Director of the first museum in West Africa dedicated to photography.
AKAA - Also Known As Africa, Paris (2015 – 2017): Artistic director, Head of programming (Les Rencontres AKAA).
The Africa Centre, London (2013 – 2015): Head of cultural programming and exhibitions.
Exhibition "Univers / Universe" Soly Cissé (2014): Curator of the solo exhibition at Dakar City Hall (Dakar Biennale Off).
Creative Intelligence (2013 – 2018): Co-director and author of training programs on the contemporary art market.
Documentary Series "African Masters", The Africa Channel (2012 – 2013): Co-director with Andy Mundy-Castle of the immersive documentary series exploring the studios of major artists.