By Alessia D’Introno

The 16th edition of the Biennale of Contemporary African Art (Dak’Art), which will take place from November 19 to December 19, 2026, was announced during a press conference at the Musée des Civilisations Noires (MCN) in Dakar, Senegal.

​Under the artistic direction of Morad Montazami, supported by a curatorial team of Madeleine de Colnet, Oulimata Gueye, Delphine Lopez, Fatima Bintou Rassoul Sy, and Youssouf Fofana, this year’s theme will be (Anti)Fragility: Arts of Repair and Counter-Shock Strategies.

​Dak’Art is considered one of the most important events and one of the biennials that most celebrates and provides visibility to contemporary African art, featuring a program that enhances the connection between the continent and its diaspora worldwide. It stands among the most prestigious and anticipated international biennials, alongside events such as the Venice Biennale and the São Paulo Art Biennial. Of great significance is also its Off program, composed of independent initiatives dedicated to exhibitions taking place outside the main venue, including various spaces beyond Senegal.

​The theme of the 16th edition of Dak’Art develops around the concept of the anti-fragile, as stated in the press release

“To be (anti)fragile is to adopt an attitude that transforms fragility into a strength (both expressive and artistic) by valuing social and communal bonds (co-creation).“

​The concept of anti-fragile is based on the possibility of reinventing fragility by transforming it into strength, healing wounds, and turning shock into an opportunity for learning. It is a theme that approaches troubling global news through art, not in a passive way, but inventively, drawing inspiration and nourishment from local traditions and pre-existing popular cultures understood as a force of resistance.

“Artists use error, accident, or lack as points of departure within a (co)creative process.” Artists will continue to act as precursors in responding to crises, inspiring new ways of living together, including with other worlds and other living beings.

​In this 16th edition of the Biennale of Contemporary African Art in Dakar, there are 75 artistic proposals divided into two selections: 54 for the International Exhibition and 21 for the Design Selection.

​Below are the 54 artists selected for the International Exhibition:

Grand Témoin – Faouzi laatiris

Carte Blanche – Serigne Mbaye Camara

Artist honoured: Abdoulaye Niokhor Bobdit ‘Ngoor’

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Morad Montazami is an art historian, publisher and curator. Following a stint at Tate Modern in London (United Kingdom) between 2014-2019, he developed the editorial (Anti)fragilité: and curatorial platform Zamân Books & Curating, which focuses on modern and contemporary African, Arab and Asian arts – and postcolonial art history. He recently co-curated the exhibitions Casablanca Art School, Tate St Ives–Sharjah Art Foundation-Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, 2023–2024, and Arab Presences. Modern Art and Decolonisation. Paris 1908–1988, Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris, 2024. He is currently preparing an exhibition on the relationship between art and petroleum with the Villa Medici–Académie de France in Rome (Italy), 2026–2027.