Meet Badara Ndiaye

Former basketball player Badara Ndiaye shares his love of art

Meet Badara Ndiaye - illustration 1

Badara Ndiaye

Badara Ndiaye is a man of many talents. The former basketball player from Senegal has a degree in Associate of Arts, as well as degrees in sociology, anthropology and psychology. After leaving the sports world following a knee injury, Badara Ndiaye became involved in modeling, fashion and marketing, and has even contributed to the curriculum program of the prestigious Parsons school as an artist and as marketing expert. Meet this multi-talented art lover with Artsper!

1.    How does one successfully change careers and continuously reinvent oneself like you have? 

I believe in human evolution and people's ability to transform themselves through life experiences. For one to successfully change careers continuously, the person must take chances and risks in life and make every situation an opportunity to grow, build, and expand. I have even more artistic ventures on the horizon, so keep an eye out.

2.     What is your relationship with art?

I didn't grow up with an art education at all. I still don't know much about art. But I am open to making the most of every opportunity I have. I still am not very used to people calling me an “artist". It is true that I am in tune with my creativity, but this is mainly rooted in my passion for art. I started painting and taking photographs and films to share my story, in the hope I would inspire others. I see art as a way to voice my message of self-expression, perseverance, resilience, courage and breaking away from societal norms. These values are crucial to me, as whilst life is not always easy, it is good to reflect on these principles whilst fighting to better it.

Meet Badara Ndiaye - illustration 1
Meet Badara Ndiaye - illustration 1

3.    If you had to choose one artist that inspired you, who would it be? 

To be honest, I find inspiration in anything, in anyone, and everywhere. I have never taken a “normal" path in life. It's always been an unusual road for me, and I like it. Maybe that's why my artistic process is unusual as well, and I appreciate it. I appreciate being different.

4.    What is your artistic strategy for BadaraOfficial? 

 My artistic strategy is to tell my story. I believe authenticity is fundamental to every aspect of life. Your authenticity is your DNA. It's what makes people adhere to the idea of a person, and that is what an artist is trying to share with the rest of the world.

5.    You also work with upcycling: which methods do you mainly use? What are your sources of inspiration? 

I up-cycle my clothes, shoes, and now even some of my furniture. I paint on them to give them a second life and sometimes a third life. If you followed the course I did with the students at the Parsons school in Paris, you'd understand that most of my inspirations are from the colorful streets of my home country, Senegal. Everything is colorful there, from the people to the clothes, the walls and the cars. I also find inspiration from other countries I have visited over the years.

Meet Badara Ndiaye - illustration 1
Meet Badara Ndiaye - illustration 1

6.    Do you have artwork in your Miami home? 

Yes I do. I love aesthetics; therefore to me, anything can be art. How it is perceived by others however is another story.

7.  You've chosen a sculpture by the artist Boureima Ouedraogo on Artsper, why? In what way do you think the digital will become the future for the art world?

Yes, I picked Mr. Boureima Ouedraogo because his piece spoke to me. I felt connected to it. I saw part of me in it, my roots, my origins…plus, the work itself is truly beautiful.

I think the digital world is very important nowadays and even more so with the Covid-19 pandemic. I understand digital artwork differs tremendously to those we see in person, but it's a matter of adaptation and adjustment. I think the situation we are in will push people to think outside of the box and make different choices. The same goes for the artists and for platforms such as Artsper. Again, evolution is very important. That is how we make progress in life in general.


Their favorite artworks

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Inge Horup

Untitled

Inge Horup

Fine Art Drawings - 57 x 38 cm

Sold

Photography, Untitled 109, Richard Caldicott

Untitled 109

Richard Caldicott

Photography - 36 x 28 cm

€1,215

Sculpture, Sans titre 6, Boureima Ouedraogo

Sans titre 6

Boureima Ouedraogo

Sculpture - 100 x 15 x 6 cm

Sold

Painting, In the desert noon I, Gergana Balabanova

In the desert noon I

Gergana Balabanova

Painting - 55 x 65 x 2.5 cm

Sold

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, David Stephen Johnson

Untitled

David Stephen Johnson

Fine Art Drawings - 76.2 x 55.9 x 1.3 cm

€865

Painting, Lost: Wrestlers, Jelena Culo

Lost: Wrestlers

Jelena Culo

Painting - 146 x 177 x 1 cm

€1,100

Painting, Red Antigua, Brian Bartlett

Red Antigua

Brian Bartlett

Painting - 91 x 122 x 4 cm

€1,822

Painting, Irak, Paul Nicholls

Irak

Paul Nicholls

Painting - 50 x 60 x 1 cm

Sold

Fine Art Drawings, Haut les mains, Arnaud Franc

Haut les mains

Arnaud Franc

Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 cm

€2,000

Painting, Sans Titre, Karel Appel

Sans Titre

Karel Appel

Painting - 76 x 58 x 3 cm

Sold

Sculpture, Smile  Sourire, Moon Shin

Smile Sourire

Moon Shin

Sculpture - 30 x 15 x 15 cm

€35,000