Djibril Coulibaly

Umbilical Cord, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 73 x 68.5 cm

The bond between living beings, whether it's the closeness between humans – couples, friends, or family members – or even between animal species, serves as a powerful vector of physical, psychological, and sometimes genetic connection. These bonds, far beyond visible interactions, extend through generations and are woven into the heritage we pass down: family names, values, and inherited traits. In this sense, the umbilical cord, often reduced to a mere symbol of the primary connection between mother and child, can be seen as a universal metaphor. It embodies a fundamental link that connects all forms of life on Earth, revealing a deep and vital interdependence between species.

Love, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 74 x 74 cm

Love, the most beautiful force that unites living beings, is invisible but felt by all. In this work, I seek to capture this invisible energy that connects not only family members or friends, but also animals and all forms of life. A world without love would be like a life without atmosphere or water: an existence without essence. Through this piece, I wish to remind us that despite our differences, we all live in the same home, the Earth, and that deep down, we are brothers and sisters, descendants of Adam and Eve. My work explores this universal connection, hoping to inspire in each person a reflection on our capacity to love and live together.

The Couple, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 108 x 80 cm

In a couple, there is a natural alternation: sometimes one partner is in a position of strength, and sometimes it’s the other. But regardless of the situation, this journey must always be experienced with reciprocity. A couple functions much like a business: at different times, each partner must support the other to face challenges together. This dynamic leads to shifts in roles, feelings, and even behaviors, but over time, true complementarity emerges. And the most beautiful outcome of this union is the children it brings into the world.

The Whirlpool, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 83 x 58 cm

The whirlpool is a central element in human existence, symbolizing an inner journey. It represents the challenges of life—illness, difficulties, and other trials—but also the return to a state of normalcy, offering physical, mental, and psychological relief. As if each whirlpool, with its turbulence, is necessary to reach a state of awareness. Whether they appear at roundabouts on the roads, in the whirlpools of the sea, or in natural phenomena such as tornadoes and tsunamis, whirlpools are omnipresent. Even planets, following their orbits, create invisible whirlpools in the universe. This illustrates the existence of a unique and invisible center of gravity that guides this inner journey throughout life, avoiding any collision with others.

The Lost Dream, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 74 x 74 cm

For some people, the ocean represents an adventure, even a gateway to wealth, but thousands of lives are lost in pursuit of this illusion. The phenomenon of illegal immigration is now observed everywhere in the world, particularly in my country, Senegal, where men and women, young and old, take to the sea in hopes of reaching Europe to fulfill their dreams. Poverty, unemployment, and social pressure are the main causes of this phenomenon. For some, the patience to plant a seed and water it day after day until they can harvest the fruits is not part of their vision. They want to reap the rewards of their efforts immediately, at any cost. Despite this relentless desire, many see their lives ending in the ocean, chasing this mental and physical illusion.

Horillusion, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 51 x 70 cm

It is an optical illusion, an artifice of the horizon that, by its nature, distorts the viewer's perception. Although one is aware of observing a surface, a canvas, they are nonetheless deceived by the means used to create this illusion. The clarity of day is contradicted by the darkness of night, cold by warmth, ugliness by beauty, and success by failure. Thus, a constant duality governs our existence. Life itself is defined by this opposition, a lost opportunity for those who haven't lived it according to their desires. One question haunts me: how do thousands of souls set out to sea, chasing their own "Horillusion"? Through this piece, I question the illusion of a better horizon that lures so many souls, only to often reveal itself to be as elusive as the horizon itself.

The Sunset, Acrylic on canvas, 71 cm x 97 cm

The sunset, a moment of calm and reflection, marks the time when human beings synthesize the energy accumulated during the day to create new ones. At this moment, one can see the beauty of the sky, the twinkling of the stars, and often it’s an opportunity to organize nighttime events like campfires or Quranic teaching sessions for children, allowing them to memorize the holy book. It is also the time when certain animal species, such as bats and owls, come into play, symbols of the awakening nightlife. Thus, the sunset marks the end of a cycle, a soothing moment for some, and an opening to another world for others.

Sunrise, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 71 cm x 97 cm

Dawn is a great unifier, a source of energy for humanity. Each sunrise marks the birth of a new day, a new opportunity for the thinking person to express the ideas that sprouted during the night. These thoughts, accumulated in the darkness, find their expression in the light of day. The day represents a constant flow, a struggle to be fought before clarity gives way to night. People eagerly await dawn to realize the good ideas formed in the nocturnal silence. This phenomenon is also seen in other forms of life. Most birds rise with the day, while trees absorb sunlight to begin the vital process of photosynthesis. The energy of the day symbolizes a new beginning, encouraging everyone to set goals and take on challenges.

Campfire, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 1m x 94 cm

There is an energy that brings people together, uniting them around a fire. This energy shapes the night, embodied most notably by the campfire. It is a great unifier, understood by most sages, scholars, philosophers, and even cultural actors, who recognize the importance of this energy to educate, teach virtue, and reconcile those divided by different ideologies. The campfire is an essential moment for humanity, as it soothes the soul, teaches the meaning of life, sharing, and generosity. Unfortunately, this practice is in decline. With the rise of new technologies, increasing urbanization, and changing lifestyles, it is often seen as an outdated activity.

The Agony of Death, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, Diameter 80 cm

The journey of the soul toward its Creator is a moment filled with mystery for humans. It is the instant when the soul and the body part ways, each returning to its source: the soul ascends to the heavens, to its Creator, while the body returns to dust. In that moment, like a silent echo of our life, memories unfold—our actions, our words—before entering the gates of eternal life. This moment, as promised by God, is inevitable for every human being, though the arrival of the angel of death remains unforeseeable.

The Conference of the Hereafter, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 2 m x 130 cm

The greatest conference of all time, even before the beginning of human existence, is the one from the hereafter. It brought together God, Adam, the angels, and the devil to discuss the creation of man. God announced that He would create a being from clay, and the perplexed angels asked, "Will You create a being that will sow disorder on Earth?" God replied, "I know what you do not know." God then commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam. All obeyed except the devil, who refused, claiming his superiority because he was created from fire. God banished him, and the devil swore to lead humans astray. This conference serves as a reminder of the favor granted to mankind, carriers of the universe’s secrets and destined for a high rank among all creatures.

Djibril Coulibaly, born in 1996 in Dakar, is an emerging artist and a member of the Mouride Sufi brotherhood. His artistic practice is deeply rooted in his faith and spirituality. Throughout his artistic journey, he has sought a personal imprint that would set his work apart. This quest led him to deep meditation and creative isolation, relentlessly exploring different facets of his artistic expression. Day by day, he immersed himself in reflection and creation, searching for a unique signature that would resonate with his inner essence and his connection to the world.

In early 2024, after reflecting on Surah Al-Imran, which speaks of God’s signs in creation and the alternation of day and night, he experienced a revelation. Gazing at his fingers, he discovered a swirl of signs in his fingerprints, a natural and universal pattern that could embody his artistic vision. This moment of epiphany marked the beginning of a new phase in his art, where fingerprints became the central motif of his expression.

Thus, Djibril’s works are distinguished by their dynamism and captivating movement. Rich in colors and textures, they create intriguing compositions where fingerprints intertwine to form complex patterns. Through his art, Djibril invites us to deep introspection, where each fingerprint becomes a symbol of identity, human uniqueness, and universal connection. "My works are not meant to be looked at, but to be meditated upon," he says.

Watch a short video about Djibril Coulibaly and his artwork

For further information:

Fingerprint Art: Unique and Universally Connected