Souleymane Bachir Diaw's 'Sutura' at Arles Explores Masculinity Through Fabric

At the Rencontres de la photographie d'Arles, Senegalese photographer Souleymane Bachir Diaw presents 'Sutura', a series examining masculinity through boubous, fabrics, and gestures inherited from childhood. The work addresses what tradition compels men to keep silent about, using clothing as a metaphor for modesty as a mask. Diaw is one of seven finalists for the Prix Découverte of the Fondation Louis Roederer. The exhibition runs until October 4, 2026. The Rencontres d'Arles, a major photography festival, opened on July 3, 2023, as illustrated by a photo of visitors. The series is part of a new generation of African photographers showcased at the festival. The article also mentions another photographer, Thato Toeba, whose work 'Archive as Battlefield' is featured at the Rencontres. The piece was published on August 17, 2026, by RFI.