A new exhibition places the work of Kyle Weeks and Sanlé Sory in dialogue with each other. The two artists were born nearly 50 years and some 4,000 miles apart, in Namibia and Burkina Faso respectively. However, both “stretch beyond their respective eras to capture the timelessness of African elegance”, according to the gallery.

Intersections of African Youth is the inaugural show at the newly launched Galerie Gomis in Brussels. The space evolved from Galerie Number 8, founded in 2016 by creative director and artist rep Marie Gomis-Trezise, who is featured in the latest issue of Creative Review. The exhibition is in partnership with David Hill Gallery, which holds work by Sory.

Sory rose in the 1960s as a prominent studio portraitist and a documentarian of the nightlife scene in the thriving city of Bobo-Dioulasso as Burkina Faso regained independence. His images have often been closely associated with music, and have even graced album covers – namely records released by the label Volta Jazz.

He is regularly cited by younger generations as an influential photographer. Among them is Kyle Weeks, whose work has appeared in i-D, Dazed, and Time, and who is fresh from launching his celebratory debut photo book, Good News.

The photographers’ work spans different eras and they both have a distinct approach to form and composition, not to mention Sory’s emphasis on black and white imagery. There’s also a looseness to many of his images, compared to the slightly more sober tone of Weeks’ work.

However, to base a joint show on having these attributes in common probably wouldn’t be that enlightening. Instead, what they do share is “their ability to create uplifting images brimming with sartorial flair”, the gallery says, as well as a “commitment to promoting everyday Africa in a positive and gentle light”.

Sanlé Sory x Kyle Weeks: Intersections of African Youth is on display at Galerie Gomis, Brussels until October 28; galeriegomis.com