ABOUT US

THE GALLERY

Located in downtown Dakar, Selebe Yoon is a contemporary art gallery and an artist and curatorial residency founded by Jennifer Houdrouge in December 2020.

Built in 1952, this modern building is an emblematic example of Dakar's architectural history. "Selebe Yoon" means in Wolof the crossroad, the intersection of paths. With its 1,000 square meters, Selebe Yoon has several exhibition rooms, a library, artists studios and accommodations for our residents.

The program is punctuated by large-scale thematic and monographic exhibitions featuring artists of the younger generation as well as major figures of the post-colonial period. Our exhibitions take over the entirety of the space and transform the place in a new way, putting the public experience at the center. Archival and research spaces dedicated to parallel disciplines in collaboration with art historians, curators, and architects, accompany the exhibitions and/or become the object of presentations in one of our exhibition room. 

As a contemporary art gallery committed to the international scene, Selebe Yoon accompanies its artists on projects outside the gallery walls and internationally. Through our residency and a public program consisting of encounters with artists and curators, round tables, performances or literary recitals, our venue is conceived as a space of exchange and reflection for the public at large.

HISTORY

Built in 1952 by French architect R. Bunel. This building was designed for the first French Department store of West Africa named “Printania.” The entire building has 4 levels and a surface of 2,500m2. Accessible via several wings, it houses various activities to this day.

THE RESIDENCY

As a residency, we welcome international and local artists and provide them with a studio, an accommodation and our staff support for their research. By invitation or following an annual call for applications, Selebe Yoon welcomes residents for research or exhibitions purposes.  

LIBRARY

Open to the public from 11AM to 7PM for free and without reservation, our library offers books in Art History, History of Exhibitions, Curatorial Practice, Art Criticism and Social Theory, Philosophy and Architecture & Urbanism. New additions are added monthly.