Malick Sidibé, known affectionately as the “Eye of Bamako,” documented the life, land, and vibrant energy of post-independence Mali throughout the 1960s and 1970s with unparalleled intimacy. The late photographer’s iconic black-and-white images—from exuberant youth dancing joyously in Bamako’s nightclubs to the confident subjects posing in his studio—have today gained legendary status for their ability to capture the essence of a nation defining itself during a period of profound social and cultural transformation.

In a new book by Loose Joints titled Painted Frames, Sidibé’s celebrated legacy takes on a fresh dimension. His signature portraits are paired with bright hand-painted frames, created in collaboration with local Malian artisans toward the end of Sidibé’s life. These frames have always been more than decorative items; they were functional keepsakes—objects gifted, exchanged, cherished, and shared within the community. Painted Frames underscores Sidibé’s enduring commitment to highlighting Mali’s cultural modernity. By showcasing the frames alongside his photographs, the book emphasizes the many ways art is a means of social and cultural exchange—both for Sidibé and for the artists he collaborated with.