The Alliance Française de Banjul had the honor of hosting K2B Graff and Naja for an artistic residency from February 6 to 28, 2025, as part of the Women’s Empowerment Project, supported by the French Embassy in Senegal and The Gambia. This project aimed to promote the expression of women through urban art.
K2B is a professional graffiti artist whose talent is recognized nationally and internationally. Since 2015, she has participated in various projects, collaborating with individuals, festivals, and other significant events across France. Her work mainly focuses on creating portraits.
Naja, a multidisciplinary artist, moves between graffiti, music, and woodworking, adding a unique dimension to her creations. Her artistic approach is characterized by a style combining calligraphic, organic, and geometric elements, creating visually striking works.
During their residency at AFB, K2B and Naja embarked on an ambitious artistic project: the creation of 10 portraits of women in the public spaces of The Gambia, specifically in Serrekunda and Banjul. This project includes 4 portraits of Gambian women, 4 portraits of African women, as well as 2 portraits imagined by the artists, showcasing their commitment to recognizing and celebrating feminine diversity.
To follow their initiative closely, we invite you to visit the artist’s Instagram by clicking here and here.
Discover the murals in pictures
For a month, K2B and Naja created ten monumental murals in public spaces across Serrekunda and Banjul, paying tribute to influential women from Africa and beyond. Each portrait was designed with a strong artistic approach, blending realism and calligraphy.
The murals were painted in key locations, including:
Each mural showcases the diversity and resilience of African women, giving visibility to their achievements and struggles.
On February 24, the inauguration of the mural depicting a woman, designed by K2B, took place at the EU Delegation, in the presence of many guests. This significant event caught the attention of the media, and The Standard dedicated an article to it. You can read it by clicking on this link.
The impact of this residency reached beyond The Gambia: the French regional newspaper “Les Trois Villes Sœurs” featured a special article about K2B and Naja’s work in The Gambia. This recognition demonstrates the power of their project, which blends artistic commitment with a strong social message.
Alongside their murals, the artists organized workshops with Gambian students, teaching them graffiti and calligraphy techniques. This initiative encouraged young people to express themselves through art and develop their creativity.
This artistic project goes beyond the murals seen in the city: it carries a powerful message of empowerment and recognition of women’s roles in society. Through this residency, the Alliance Française de Banjul has strengthened its commitment to urban art as a tool for awareness and inspiration.
Meet the artists
📢Follow K2B & Naja’s work on Instagram:
👉 @k2bgraff
👉 @najacalligraphie