Vernissage 9 January, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m
in the presence of several of the women portrayed
“A photographic series dedicated to my sisters: Beautiful women. Black women. Powerful women.
May these portraits and fragments of thought be a source of inspiration and action.
In this photo series, Black Women speak. Let us listen to them!”
Manifesto - Maggy Dago
This exhibition weaves a visual and critical dialogue around the unique yet interconnected journeys of Afro-descendant women, offering a space for reflection where their voices reverberate with strength and clarity. Initiated in 2021 and evolving through annual seasons, the Fragments project features approximately 150 black-and-white photographs of women across Europe. In this third season, Maggy Dago brings together the portraits and testimonies of sixteen women living in Geneva and Paris, creating a photographic series imbued with profound humanity. These images not only honor the individuality of each woman but also reveal the intimate threads of connection that unite them.
Each portrait is a moment of encounter; each fragment, a profound meditation. Together, their narratives, drawn from diverse experiences, intertwine into a collective tapestry where personal struggles become universal sources of inspiration.
Fragments transcends the act of capturing faces; it serves as a lens through which to explore the intricacies of Afro-descendant women’s lived realities as they navigate intersecting identities. Grounded in an intersectional feminist framework, which highlights how overlapping systems of oppression create unique lived experiences, the series unveils the layered nature of discrimination— racist, sexist, and beyond—while highlighting the transformative resistance it inspires. Within contexts marked by systemic dual oppression, the women of Fragments confront mechanisms of domination, asserting themselves as catalysts of collective social and cultural transformation.
Maggy Dago’s aesthetic choices reinforce this vision with deliberate intentionality. Black-and-white photography, far from being a simple stylistic preference, distills the visual language to its most essential elements. Stripped of distractions, each image draws attention to the essence: gazes that speak volumes, postures that carry histories, expressions charged with emotion, and gestures brimming with meaning. Photographed largely in outdoor settings, these images fuse natural light with the intimacy of personal stories, giving each frame a timeless and universally resonant quality.
This exhibition is more than an invitation—it is a call to reflection, recognition, and action. Fragments reminds us that behind every face lies a story, and every story holds the potential to catalyze social transformation. Whether addressing justice, care, self-love, or sisterhood, the themes explored here traverse boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in the lived realities of Afro-descendant women, resonating with audiences across the globe.
Curatorial text by Mariame Abdou. Translation into English by Rosie Cook.
All exhibitions are public and free of charge. Everyone is welcome.
Exhibition launch
Photos by Clara Watt
Exhibition catalogue
Click on any image to scroll through the catalogue.
