Exhibitions

Seydou Keïta’s Largest U.S. Exhibition Opens at Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum hosts the largest Seydou Keïta exhibition ever seen in North America, with Vlisco leading a vibrant celebration featuring fashion entrepreneur Sarah Diouf and photographer Trevor Stuurman.

Sarah Diouf at the Brooklyn Museum’s Seydou Keïta Exhibition

Through May 2026, the Brooklyn Museum is opening its doors for the most extensive presentation of Seydou Keïta’s work ever shown in North America. Titled Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens, the exhibition offers a striking and in-depth look at one of Africa’s most celebrated photographers.

With nearly 275 works on view including iconic Bamako studio portraits, never-before-seen photographs, textiles, and personal artifacts, the show reflects Keïta’s pivotal role in shaping the visual language of African portraiture. His subjects are often captured with poise and style, wearing Vlisco fabrics that add texture and cultural richness to each image.

Vlisco, the Dutch textile brand seen throughout Keïta’s portraits, is the lead sponsor of the exhibition. On opening night, the brand welcomed a select group of creatives, press, and cultural leaders for a private evening that began with a guided tour of the show at the Brooklyn Museum. Led by curator Catherine E. McKinley, the tour offered deeper context into Keïta’s portraiture and how his images reflect self-expression, style, and identity in post-colonial Mali.

Following the tour, guests gathered at EBI-AYO Supper Club in SoHo for Vlisco’s “Icons Last Forever” dinner. The restaurant’s blend of Nigerian and Italian cuisine, curated by Chef Tayo, set the stage for a night centered on creative exchange and cultural storytelling.

The evening’s design drew from Vlisco’s capsule collection inspired by Keïta’s portrait style, featuring a palette of black, white, and electric blue. Senegalese fashion designer Sarah Diouf and South African photographer Trevor Stuurman wore pieces from the collection and shared reflections on Keïta’s enduring influence in their own creative journeys.

Sarah Diouf and Trevor Stuurman at the Brooklyn Museum’s Seydou Keïta Exhibition

“For over a century, Africa has inspired Vlisco’s creativity,” said Vlisco Group CEO Perry Oosting. “Sharing a legacy with Seydou Keïta reminds us of the transformative power of African artistry to shape global culture.”

The event marked a moment where photography, fashion, and cultural memory intersect. Keïta’s images, Vlisco’s textiles, and the voices of contemporary creators came together in a shared space of respect, inspiration, and connection.

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