Babacar's Recycled Art -- Tin Can Style!

Recycled Art: Tin can art by Babacar and his brothers


Even the trucks are loaded up ridiculously high--just like the actual ones on the road
that I find myself saying a prayer every time I pass that they won't topple over on me


Amazingly creative, isn't it?  Especially when you realize that it was once soda cans


I admit: I have a fanta, coca-cola, and a tomato can tray


recycling at its finest: nothing is wasted
that kettle on the floor can be found in every Senegalese household


Santa Claus!  Behind him is a sous-verre painting
(Or Senegalese glass painting)


Babacar came from Mali and opened up a little studio near Soumbédioune
He's been so successful supplying boutiques around Dakar that
he's just opened up this little shop next door
I suspect my patronage over the years has played a part :)


car rapides, VW Beetles, scooters, planes!

15 December 2013 update:
I've just learned that Babacar has his own website showcasing his lovely art.
Check it out here!
It even has photos of his new studio, completed just prior to my departure from Dakar.
(Thanks, Matthias, for letting me know!)

18 July 2012 update:
Babacar's been featured on a segment by the BBC!
So excited that this hidden gem of Dakar is getting his due--
Check his interview out here.

Goree Bourgainvillea

two children sharing a meal on Goree Island, Senegal


the bourgainvillea all over the island


Goree Island's cove

artists displaying their work on Goree Island

the island's colors are always so vivid with its painted walls and bougainvillea

the Atlantic Ocean crashing against Dakar's volcanic rocks

Sofia, Bulgaria

The Church of St. George (4th Century AD), also known as the Sveti Georgi Rotunda

with Roman ruins and the Bulgarian Presidency surrounding - Sofia, Bulgaria

downtown Sofia, Bulgaria

 Sofia, Bulgaria

 the Uruguayan (far left) and American (far right) Buddy Bears

in Sofia, Bulgaria

The Irish and Spanish Buddy Bears

What is the traveling display of Buddy Bears?

remnants of Soviet factories outside Sofia

Village des Arts de Dakar

Village des Arts de Dakar (Dakar, Senegal's Art Village) 

 preparations for the next art adventure

 art in prepartion, art in process, and finished art outside an artist's studio

The Senegalese artists show in galleries in places including Europe, the Middle East, and the United States

 

 art in action!

 the art often spills outside of the studios

 ready to be inspired

a tableau (painting) by Baba Ly whose studio is at the village

More information on the Village

Ndary Lo's Studio

Men reaching for heaven by Ndary Lo -- Ndary Lo's Studio, Rufiqsue, Senegal

Ndary Lo as seen from his studio's courtyard

 Different pieces of art in Ndary Lo's studio

 this head was made of wood..it was so amazing

Man reaching for heaven by Ndary Lo

The sandals were worn by his father on his pilgrimage to Mecca

and are the focal point of his studio

More information on the fabulous Ndary Lo

Alpha Dio's Studio

 The outside of Alpha Dio's studio, covered in his stunning mosaics and paintings

Senegal

 A painting in progress -- Alpha Dio's studio

 The studio was like an explosion of color in the middle of nowhere, Senegal

The entrance to Alpha Dio's studio

West African Masks & Doors

Set of doors -- carved by West African artisans

West African masks

West African masks

beading and shell work on the doors

l'île de Gorée: The Fort & Assorted Photos

approaching Goree Island -- Senegal

The guns atop Goree Island's fort -- Senegal

artwork drying and on display on Goree Island -- Senegal

colorful buildings on Goree Island -- Senegal

an artist's gallery -- Goree Island, Senegal

an artist's studio near the fort's guns -- Goree Island, Senegal

the view of Dakar from Goree Island -- Senegal

Goree Island, Senegal

Le Nègre de Gorée's Studio

Perfecting the paint -- Le Nègre de Gorée's Studio -- Colobane, Dakar, Senegal

Perfecting the paint -- Le Nègre de Gorée's Studio -- Colobane, Dakar, Senegal

Laundry & Sous Verre Drying -- Le Nègre de Gorée's Studio -- Colobane, Dakar, Senegal

Mosaic Pieces -- Le Nègre de Gorée's Studio -- Colobane, Dakar, Senegal

View of Car Rapides from Le Nègre de Gorée's Studio -- Colobane, Dakar, Senegal

Le Nègre de Gorée outside his Studio -- Colobane, Dakar, Senegal

Some of Le Nègre de Gorée's's Famous Sous Verre -- Colobane, Dakar, Senegal


What is sous-verre? (reverse glass painting)