Weekend Portfolio: Yannis Davy Guibinga
Yannis Davy Guibinga is a 27 year old photographer from Libreville, Gabon, who is currently based in Montreal, Canada. His work primarily explores the manifold identities and cultures of the African continent and its diaspora. Guibinga’s narrative prowess, combined with his incisive eye for composition, has enabled him to establish an extensive, astonishing portfolio at such a young age, and has led to international collaborations with brands such as Apple and Nikon. Guibinga is a natural storyteller, whose photographs are capable of evoking complex emotional responses alongside an innate appreciation for their refined, resplendent aesthetic.
His portrait photography is a documentation of a new generation of Africans, unapologetically embracing their many identities and cultures in the face of globalization and Western cultural imperialism. His work also focuses on highlighting the diversity of African identities, as well as how these identities are created through the intersection of different factors such as gender, culture and socioeconomic status. By letting each image tell a different story and illustrate a unique experience, point of view and perspective, Guibinga uses colours, shapes and shadows to create a world of powerful, beautiful and dignified Africans regardless of gender performance, class or sexual orientation.
He has established himself as a leading voice in photography, from a TED talk to shooting the cover of Aesthetica Magazine, and participating in prestigious photography competitions as a juror - most recently a National Arts Juror for the American Scholastic Award (February 2022), a judge for the AD&D Photography Award (April 2022) and for the Indigenous Innovative Solutions Photo Contest (April 2022).
