Bio

Djibril N’Doye considers his work to be “universal” art, and his personalized style of drawing is inspired by sculptures in ebony. Processing images of different pieces of the dark hardwood, he is able to create the effect of transparency in his art. The drawings portray a variety of scenes from daily life based in his native West Africa. 

Previously working with standard materials such as oil paint and watercolor, Djibril developed his own distinct technique using only ballpoint pen during a half dozen years of research and experimentation.  After taking the ballpoint pen drawings to a very high level of professionalism, Djibril began using charcoal pencil on larger surfaces to further develop his intensely emotional detailed drawing style.  His newest creations are drawn directly on wood with a woodburner and/or oil pencil.

The subject of an 81-minute documentary film “Ndap li–Djibril N’Doye Lebou Artist”, Djibril attended its world premiere at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles CA in February 2004. This film explores the life and unique woodburned artwork of Sierra Madre, California based artist Djibril N’Doye who is from the Lebou ethnicity of Senegal in West Africa. The film includes interviews with the artist in Wolof, the native language of the Lebou people, with English subtitles, and interviews with both African American and white American collectors. 

Born in 1953 in Bargny, Senegal, self-taught, and a member of the National Association of Artists/Graphists of Senegal (A.N.A.P.S.), Djibril N’Doye’s public life began when he won First Prize in 1981 for an exhibit at the Popular Educational Center in Rufisque, Senegal. The following year he was awarded First Prize at the Blaise Senghor Cultural Center in Dakar, Senegal.  This recognition led to a solo exhibit at the Daniel Sorano National Theater in Dakar in 1984.  One year later, Djibril founded Suunu Nit Artists Group in Bargny, his hometown, with the objective of encouraging and developing local artists, painters, and writers, and helping support Bargny’s own artistic community.

From 1992-1995, Djibril regularly exhibited his work at the Hotel Savana in Saly de M’Bour, from which over 150 original drawings were sold worldwide. Then, after relocating to the U.S.A. in 1995, Djibril devoted his time to producing his own well-received first exhibit featuring 26 original drawings. He has since actively participated in numerous juried festivals, exhibits, galleries, and museums in Arizona, California, Georgia, Utah, and Virginia, in Senegal and in South Korea, as well as speaking about his life and art to students from grammar school through college, and special arts programs.