Ibrahima Ndoye: Senegalese photographer & filmmaker exploring intimacy, memory & everyday humanity | 54Ruum Spotlight

Ibrahima Ndoye is a Senegalese photographer and filmmaker. His work explores the margins of society, intimacy, and the profound tensions between tradition and modernity.

He comes from a modest background in Thiès and has a passion for critical thinking, literature, and visual arts. He was initially interested in writing, inspired by figures such as Sembène Ousmane, but later shifted his focus toward cinema and photography.

Meureuk was trained at Ciné Banlieue where he developed his craft through constant self-discipline, reading, film watching, and hands-on experience, notably at the French Institute of Dakar. This demanding process, combined with keen observation of real life, shaped his artistic vision.

In 2023, Meureuk released his first short film, Kuut Gui (The Levirate), which tells the story of Kiné, a university student facing social pressure after her husband’s death, as she thoughtfully questions the resistance to change in African societies.

Simultaneously, he has developed a distinctive photographic body of work, often in black and white, that focuses on silences, moving bodies, and everyday details.

His lens captures what hurried eyes overlook: a discreet smile, a shadow on a wall, a simple gesture transformed into visual poetry. Above all, his art celebrates human beings in all their splendour.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I am an assistant director who has worked on several film projects. I am a naturally cheerful person, and genuinely connecting with my subject allows me to convey the small joys and happiness I carry within me, ultimately sharing the joy of that captured moment.

How did you first become interested in photography?

I started by carrying a notebook in my tote bag to capture scenes from everyday life. When the words wouldn't come, I would simply start taking photos with my phone instead.

My close friends and family were the first and only ones to appreciate my images until I met director Rama Thiaw through filmmaker Xuma Gueye. Rama Thiaw gave me a Canon 5D Mark II to keep me going, and since that moment, I have never stopped taking photos.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche? How has your style evolved?

I specialise in street photography, given its inherent documentary aspect. Through this genre, I enjoy connecting with strangers, sharing joy and love.

Recently, however, I have been turning toward Artistic and Experimental Photography, as I still can’t shake the profound impression left on me by Alain Rénée’s film La Jetée.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography?

I was driven by the need to preserve life's moments at all costs, so I initially photographed purely for pleasure. Today, photography has become a continuation of the story I began with my very first image.

For me, photography is a prayer — my response to the generation to come. I capture joy and life, and through my lens, I breathe new life into moments from the past, forging a timeless connection with the viewer.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

I believe the moment I truly fell in love with photography was that unforgettable evening in May 2024, surrounded by close friends. After a long journey through literature and cinema, that night, spent with Rama Thiaw and Xuma Gueye on the beach at the Cour de Cassation, was when I formally embraced the medium, with all its poetry.

Today, my proudest achievement is successfully seeking and capturing that poetry in every one of my images.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge came after attending a photography workshop with industry professionals, which led me to spend several months without capturing any images.

This pause was crucial: it allowed me to step back, reflect deeply on why I photograph, and conduct intense research on the seminal works of the art form's pioneers. I overcame the block by reconnecting with the core reason for my craft.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

I would love to collaborate with the iconic American photographer Jamel Shabazz.

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

I recently discovered 54Ruum through a friend’s post. 54Ruum allows me to explore and connect with the work of other African photographers. The platform quietly fosters a hope in me that, one day, I might have the chance to collaborate with some of these talented creators.

How's the photography and art space in your country? How has it evolved in recent years?

I used to observe the space from afar, attending exhibitions like a visitor. I was always captivated by the worlds of established figures like Malick Welli, Omar Victor Diop, and Baba Diedhiou.

Today, I see a new generation gradually taking their place in Dakar’s cultural landscape. Exhibitions are being held more frequently, and films are being shot with our own on-set photographers, which is actively paving the way for the younger generation to thrive.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

I started with my phone to capture the overflow of words that couldn’t fit in my notebook, photographing instinctively to preserve lives, souls, fleeting joys, solitude, and above all, love and life.

My advice is simple: Trust your senses first, and with practice, the technique will follow. Trust your senses again.