Brooklyn Talks: A Tribute to Seydou Keïta | Hank Thomas Willis, Bisa Butler, and Keisha Scarville

Reflect on Seydou Keïta’s resounding legacy with this discussion among contemporary artists, inspired by our special exhibition Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens. Keïta’s photographs—taken at his studio in Bamako during an era of profound political change—depict Malian society as the country transitioned from French colonial rule to independence. The exhibition features nearly 275 works across media, including iconic prints and never-before-seen portraits. Paying tribute to Keïta’s impact on contemporary visual culture and portraiture, artists Bisa Butler, Keisha Scarville, and Hank Willis Thomas speak with Catherine E. McKinley, an art historian and curator of A Tactile Lens. Plan your visit to Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens through July 6, 2026. 00:00 Introductions 05:37 Catherine E. McKinley on Seydou Keïta 11:05 Bisa Butler 21:28 Keisha Scarville 28:23 Hank Willis Thomas 37:17 Roundtable discussion 16:30 Closing remarks Learn more: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/seydou-keita Shop BkM: https://shop.brooklynmuseum.org/ #SeydouKeitaBkM #BrooklynMuseum #photography Support for Brooklyn Talks is provided by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation Endowment. This program was previously filmed on November 15, 2025