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Anna Binta Diallo, Artist – Winnipeg

(photo: Vincent Lafrance)

Anna Binta Diallo was born in Dakar, Senegal. Her work examines themes of migration, displacement, personal mythologies, diaspora, and the relationship between language, history, and identity. She holds an MFA from the Transart Institute in Berlin and a BFA from the School of Art at the University of Manitoba. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally at institutions such as MOCA Taipei, SAVVY Contemporary (Berlin), Centre Clark, Contemporary Calgary, and Museum London. In 2022, her work was featured in the 13th edition of the African Photography Biennial in Bamako, Mali, and she was longlisted for the Sobey Art Award. She is an assistant professor at the School of Art at the University of Manitoba and is represented in Canada by Towards Gallery. Her work is currently included in the group exhibitions Black Prairies, curated by Alyssa Fearon and on display at the Dunlop Art Gallery until May 14, and Afrotopos, curated by Diane Gistal and on view at the Stewart Hall Gallery until March 30.

  1. Old comic books about Canada

Because it is Black History Month, I’ve been thinking about the history of Black communities in the Prairies and Canada as a whole. My work in Black Prairies is inspired by my dad’s collection of old comic books. He read these growing up in Senegal and kept them all these years. I thought they were an interesting point of departure to consider what he must have thought about Canada before immigrating here in 1982. Beginning with his claim of being the first Senegalese man in Winnipeg during the 1980s, my piece starts from an autobiographical standpoint and expands to encompass broader themes of migration and identity. The installation combines large-scale collages and interwoven characters inspired by comic books and other imagery. These characters recall perceptions of distinct places, whether it’s the wild west of Canada or the far west of Dakar. This interplay creates a narrative space that invites viewers to reflect on what it means to migrate to a place you’ve only read about, and to live and then to grow there and raise a family in the Prairies.

  1. Refreshing my music playlists

I need music in my life, so I’m constantly trying to refresh my playlists. Right now I’ve got a lot of Mk.gee on repeat these days.

  1. Fresh studio

After relocating from Montreal a few years ago, I took some time to get a new studio as I resettled here in Winnipeg. I finally have a new space and just got the keys! Nothing feels as exciting as a new space to go make a mess in! I look forward to building community here and having a fresh space to create new work.

  1. Let the light in: stained glass 

I’m deep in the research and production phase for an upcoming exhibition. I’m interested in learning more about stained glass techniques. I’m hoping to incorporate more light in my practice as I approach this new body of work. It’s a big learning curve, but I enjoy thinking about all the different possibilities.

  1. Dog days in the winter

My family just got a new puppy. Her name is Luna. She’s an Australian Sheppard and Golden Retriever mix. I’ve never had a dog in my life, so I’m learning a lot about puppy behaviours and how to care for them. It’s definitely keeping us busy and active! I watched a recent documentary called Inside the Mind of a Dog  and it simply blew my mind. Did you know every nose is unique like a fingerprint?

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