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Since 2011, he has been the director of Galerie Médina, an art gallery he founded in Bamako, Mali. Igo Diarra is also the founder of Éditions Balani’s and has published various books, encompassing stories, comic strips, novels, catalogues, and art books. Notably, “Au cœur de Bamako” was published in 2017.
As a curator of national and international exhibitions, Igo Diarra has spearheaded significant projects such as the “Bamako Dreams 30”, a pan-African touring exhibition, “60 Arts du Mali” in Bamako in 2020, and “Learning from Timbuktu” for Documenta 14 in Athens. His influence extends to Dakar, Lagos, and Rabat, where he has produced exhibitions over the years.
Igo Diarra is the initiator of the Bamako International Festival of Children’s Literature “Kanla kadi” and has consistently engaged in cultural initiatives, including the Summer University of Culture in Bamako, known as “Bamako Symposium Art.”
Beyond his contributions to the arts, Mr. Diarra has been an audio-visual producer with his label “Balani’s Vibes Production”, producing the first urban music in Bamako. He has also created the “Ciwara Game,” a cultural entrepreneurship game.
In his spare time, Igo Diarra serves as a radio host and producer. He is actively involved in various associations and networks, including Arterial Network, and is a founding member of Réseau Kya and OMEL (Organisation Malienne des Éditeurs du Mali).
Widely recognized in the artistic and cultural communities in Mali, Africa, and globally, Igo Diarra serves as a board member for IBA. He is a jury member and advisor for several prestigious prizes worldwide.
