Malian artist Abdoulaye Konaté and Peace Corps volunteer Hannah Mills provide new perspectives on West Africa

By Thibeaux Hirsh '21

Poly's AP French and French IV classes recently had the opportunity to meet and converse with renowned Malian artist Dr. Abdoulaye Konaté, and former Peace Corps volunteer Hannah Mills (en français, of course). During a month-long tour of the Americas, Konaté had just arrived in Pasadena as a guest lecturer at Caltech and an Andrew Mellon Fellow after the opening of the 13th Havana Biennial, for which he was selected to present. Konaté lives and works in Bamako, Mali, and he is the founding general director of the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers Multimédia Balla Fasseké Kouyaté in Bamako.

Konaté talked about his artistic process, West African culture, global themes in his art, the significance of color in his work, and his vision for the Conservatoire des. He was also able to discuss his most prominent acrylic paintings and textile works with Poly's seventh- and ninth-grade French and Visual Art students.

Later in the week, Hannah Mills visited AP French and French IV classes to share her experience working for two years in public health as a program officer for the Peace Corps in rural Senegal. She described her time as a teacher and her experience living with a host family and a community member in her village. She also spoke at length about her current projects at John’s Hopkins University in international development.

Both Konaté’s and Mills’ insight about and experiences with Malian and Senegalese culture were eye-opening to the Poly French students. Through the unique angle provided by both speakers about global issues faced by these French-speaking African countries, Poly students were able to gain a more in-depth understanding of the impacts of socio-economic and political factors on culture in said countries. Senior and AP French student Matthew K. commented, “Ms. Mills and Dr. Konaté provided an alternative angle on certain West African societies. I appreciated their presentations and discussions particularly because they contrasted the Eurocentric history we are often taught.” Indeed, both speakers left the French students eager to learn more about the Francophone world.
 
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