Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Gavin Goodman was immersed in the rich beauty of African culture from an early age. He began his career as a cinematographer in the local film industry, primarily shooting TV commercials, before transitioning into commercial and fine art photography. In 2021, he was awarded the prestigious Hasselblad Masters in the Art category. Goodman’s work merges traditional African elements with a clean, modern aesthetic, characterised by a minimalist approach to composition, refined lighting, and a complementary pastel colour palette. More recently, he has been integrating AI into his creative process, using it as an extension of his artistic expression. His recent exhibitions include Africa Foto Fair (February 2023) and a solo show in Abidjan (May 2024).

Ousmane Dia is a Senegalese-Swiss visual artist who has lived and worked in Geneva for 28 years. He graduated from the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Dakar before completing a postgraduate degree in sculpture at the École Supérieure d'Arts Visuels in Geneva, where he graduated in 2001. DIA’s work is centered around the motif of the chair—big or small, vertical or horizontal, isolated or stacked in rigid columns or dynamic curves that defy balance. He has adopted this everyday object, a universal symbol of rest and stability, as a recurring totem in his practice, exploring its sculptural potential in both two and three dimensions.  His recent solo exhibitions include Black Requiem I at the National Gallery in Dakar (March 2024) and Shadows & Lights at Filafriques in Geneva (May 2024).