Mali photographer who captured Bamako '60s culture dies

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - Malian photographer Malick Sidibe, whose black-and-white images captured popular culture in 1960s Bamako, has died, his son said Friday. Sidibe was 80 years old.

The photographer died late Thursday from complications of diabetes, his son Karim Sidibe said.

Sidibe worked in jewelry before entering the field of photography in 1955 under Bamako-based French photographer Gerard Guillat. Sidibe's photographs depicted the night life, music, youth, fashion and culture of the 60s and 70s in Bamako after the country gained independence from France.

Sidibe's work was exhibited internationally. He was recognized for his photography by the Hasselblad Foundation in 2003, and received the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale in 2007.

Mali will hold an official ceremony on Saturday to honor Sidibe, his son said. After that, Sidibe's family will bring his body to the southern Soloba village, where he was born, he said.

Sidibe leaves behind three wives and 17 children.