Nataal’s creative director, Marie Gomis-Trezise, opens her gallery space in Brussels with the debut show ‘Intersections of African Youth’. Marking the transition from the online Galerie Number 8 to the physical Galerie Gomis, the exhibition pairs the photographic works of Sanlé Sory (b. 1943, Burkina Faso) and Kyle Weeks (b. 1992, Namibia). A collaboration with David Hill Gallery in London who represents Sory, and Gomis who represents Weeks, Gomis says of her curation: “My work has always about nurturing new voices but for this first show, I wanted to reflect on the past too, and Sory represents this connection in a very eloquent way. It’s an intergenerational conversation on the timelessness of African elegance.”

Sory’s exuberant portraits immortalised his subjects’ embrace of enjoyment and modernity as his nation gained independence in 1960 and continued to flourish into the 1970s. Working out of his studio, Volta Photo in Bobo-Dioulasso, his use of painted backdrops, props and accessories allowed his subjects, mainly Fula, Malian and Voltaic youths, to have fun and “make the picture their own”. Similarly, Weeks, who studied in Cape Town and is currently based in Amsterdam, has dedicated his practice to honouring the energy and agency of young people across the continent. His new photo book, Good News, is the culmination of six years shooting his peers in Ghana.

Weeks naturally looks to Sory for inspiration. “Sory’s work is marked by a distinct vibrancy and optimism, reflecting a culture in the midst of transition. I find myself drawn to the same tenderness and reverence that define his work,” Weeks says. “His images offer a guiding light; a reminder that as photographers, we have the privilege and responsibility to honour the stories of those we document and, in our own way, contribute to the enduring dialogue of Africa’s visual history.”

Times and technologies have changed dramatically between these two artist’s eras. Nevertheless then, as now, negative and ahistorical representations of the continent still pervade in mainstream media. Sory and Weeks find common ground not only in their ability to present uplifting images brimming with sartorial flair but also in their commitment to promoting everyday Africa in a positive and gentle light. “Although we’re creating photographs decades apart, I hope the show shines a light on our converging intentions to illuminate the rich tapestry of African identity,” Weeks adds. “Additionally, I hope it serves as a bridge between perspectives, reflecting the universal power of photography to document the human experience. The juxtaposition underscores the enduring themes of youth culture as a driving force of change, self-discovery and cultural preservation.”

Sanlé Sory x Kyle Weeks: Intersections of Africa Youth, 7 September – 28 October, 2023 at Galerie Gomis, Brussels

Sanlé Sory x Kyle Weeks: Voltaïc intersection, opens 28 September at David Hill Gallery, London