Delali Cofie: Finding Identity Through the Lens

Delali Cofie's journey into photography is rooted in a time of stillness. It began with the ordinary act of documenting school life in Burkina Faso with a digital camera. However, it was in 2018, during a period of significant personal loss, that photography evolved from a simple pastime into a vital practice. Delali’s work is intrinsically intertwined with his Ghanaian-Nigerian heritage and the duality of living between cultures. His thesis project, "At the conjuring of roots, I wished to meet Me," is a visual exploration of identity through the lens of West African masquerade. These images blend personal and cultural histories, creating a narrative that is both intimate and universally resonant. Join us as we walk with Delali through the intricate terrains of memory and identity, where art transforms into a lifeline and a medium for self-understanding. To explore more of Delali's work, visit his website and follow him on Instagram. You can also see his work in person at the upcoming group exhibition “It comes to me in waves” at Patel Brown Gallery in Toronto, opening on August 1—September 7, 2024. Delali's work has been exhibited across Ontario, including Gallery 44 and Gallery 101, and is currently in the "Black Dreams and Aspirations" exhibit at Union Station in Toronto until August 31, 2024. His photography was featured in legendary Ghanaian photographer James Barnor’s retrospective catalogue at the Arles Photography Festival in 2022. Delali's first solo exhibition, "A Place of Ours," was included in the CONTACT Photography Festival in Toronto in 2022, and he has created commissioned work for the Royal Bank of Canada. Delali will also participate in the Photo Vogue Festival in Milan in March 2025. An upcoming photobook is also in the works.  Don’t forget to follow ArtBeat on Instagram, subscribe to our podcast, and rate us on your favourite platforms.