The African Gaze

An accessible yet critical introduction to African photography and cinema from the mid-20th century to the present day.

The African Gaze is a comprehensive exploration of postcolonial and contemporary photography and cinema from Africa. Drawing from archival imagery and documents, interviews with the photographers and filmmakers—occasionally incorporating insights from family members or close associates of deceased artists—and contributions from writers, scholars, and curators, it provides a thorough introduction to African moving and still imagery.

This is a hugely important and timely publication. Engagement with Black and African histories is stronger than ever before (and long overdue). The major names of African photography, such as Malick Sidibé, Sanlé Sory, and Seydou Keïta, have become highly collectible in the art market, while African cinema, pioneered by filmmakers like Ousmane Sembène in 1960s Senegal, is now recognised for its creative innovation and storytelling.

For anyone drawn to African photography and film, this book will provide an exciting and accessible overview.

Featuring interviews with Samuel Fosso and Souleymane Cissé.