African photography and urban history featured in new monographs

Two new art monographs are set to document African history and urban identity through photography and illustration.

Phaidon will release a comprehensive monograph on Burkinabé photographer Sanlé Sory on October 8. The 240-page book features over 200 photographs, including previously unseen works, capturing the social and political transition of Burkina Faso during its era of independence. Sory, who opened the Volta Photo studio in 1960, documented both intimate studio portraits and the vibrant nightlife of Bobo-Dioulasso.

Additionally, Assouline is publishing ‘Tangier Tangerine’ by Souleiman Berrada, scheduled for release in August 2026. This 276-page volume marks the first time the publisher has featured Tangier in its catalog. The work utilizes over 150 illustrations and photographs to explore the city's multifaceted history, architecture, and cultural memory through an intimate lens.