Terae Soumah

The paintings in this series celebrate Djansa, a traditional Malian dance. This collaborative work was created with Drissa Konate, portrait and mural artist, and Solo Sana, dancer and director of Kono Gnaga, to depict the cultural customs of a traditional wedding.

After photographing, interviewing, and dancing with Solo, Drissa and Terae designed and painted in unique partnership, working together on each canvas to bring life to the images. The paintings serve as illustrations for a children’s book, translated into French, English, and Bambara to accompany Kono Gnaga’s work with traditional dance in public schools in Mali.