Mali

Biography

Born in Bamako, Habibatou Yaye Keita grew up surrounded by art, inspired by her father, a decorator and calligrapher. Initially on a path to medicine, her passion for the visual arts led her to the Conservatory of Multimedia Arts and Crafts in Bamako, where she earned a Fine Arts degree in 2020. A founding member of Sanou’Arts, she first made a living through hairstyling, which later became a central theme in her art. Blending wool weaving with acrylic painting, she reinterprets traditional African hairstyles to celebrate cultural heritage. Through her self-portraits, she explores themes of identity, beauty, and the role of women in society while advocating for self-acceptance, especially among women with vitiligo.