Leiden University Student Repository

Sawadogo, Efia Djami (2025)

Through the Eyes of the Artist: Exploring Creative Motivation and Self-Perceived Role of the Artist in Saint-Louis, Senegal

Master thesis | African Studies (MA)

This research explores the motivations behind artistic creation and the perceived societal role of artists in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Drawing from qualitative fieldwork, including interviews and observations with people from the Saint-Louisan art community, the study shows how artists position themselves within their social and cultural environment. The findings suggest that art does not only function as a form of personal expression and therapy but also as a tool for social commentary and community engagement. Artists in Saint-Louis often see themselves as transmitters of messages, using their work to reflect, critique, and reshape realities around them. Art, for many here, is more than practice; it is purpose. The research also highlights a deep sense of responsibility among artists towards their communities, as they address themes such as migration and social inequalities. By centering the voices and perspectives of these artists, this study hopes to contribute to broader...Show moreThis research explores the motivations behind artistic creation and the perceived societal role of artists in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Drawing from qualitative fieldwork, including interviews and observations with people from the Saint-Louisan art community, the study shows how artists position themselves within their social and cultural environment. The findings suggest that art does not only function as a form of personal expression and therapy but also as a tool for social commentary and community engagement. Artists in Saint-Louis often see themselves as transmitters of messages, using their work to reflect, critique, and reshape realities around them. Art, for many here, is more than practice; it is purpose. The research also highlights a deep sense of responsibility among artists towards their communities, as they address themes such as migration and social inequalities. By centering the voices and perspectives of these artists, this study hopes to contribute to broader discussions on the intersection of art and society in West African contexts, while offering insight into how art serves as both a mirror of society and a means of imagining new possibilities for connection and cultural continuity.Show less

Author

Sawadogo, Efia Djami

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Kaag, M.M.A.

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en