The Journey
MBarou's artistic journey began on Gorée Island—a place of profound historical significance and the gateway through which millions of Africans passed during the slave trade. This heritage deeply informs her work, connecting past and present through powerful visual storytelling.
Since her first exhibition at the Palais de la Culture d'Alger in 1999, MBarou has built an international career spanning over two decades. Her work has graced the walls of the French Embassy in Algeria, the Galerie Nationale des Arts in Senegal, and prestigious venues across 17 countries including the USA, France, Russia, and the UK.
In 2005, she was selected among Senegal's best artists by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Her distinctive celebration of Kwanzaa and African heritage earned her the nickname "La Reine des Kwanzaa" (The Queen of Kwanzaa), featured in Thiof magazine and on national television programs including RTS and TFM.