Nyaba Léon Ouedraogo is a renowned photographer from Burkina Faso, born in 1978. Initially keen to become an athlete, he turned to photography after a serious injury put an end to his sporting career. His work bridges the gap between photojournalism and documentary photography, focusing on Africa's complex social, environmental and cultural landscapes.
Nyaba L. Ouedraogo's photography attracted international attention with her project "The Hell of Copper" (2008), which examines the disastrous consequences of electronic waste in Ghana. His work often focuses on ecological issues, as can be seen in the following series: "The Granite and Sand Breakers in Burkina Faso" (2010-2011) and "Human Error" (2011).
He has received numerous awards, including the European Union prize at the 9th Rencontres de la photographie de Bamako and was a finalist in the prestigious Prix Pictet in 2010. His series 'The Phantoms of Congo River' looks at the changing relationship between people and the Congo River, capturing the spiritual and practical dependencies of local communities.
He is also co-founder of the Biennale Internationale de Sculpture de Ouagadougou (BISO), the first biennale devoted to sculpture in Africa, which aims to foster intercultural dialogue and support African artists (Contemporary And). His work continues to be exhibited internationally, making significant contributions to the discourse on African identities, environmental challenges and cultural heritage.