The Art of Connection: How Timbucktoo is Changing the Collectibles Industry

Mamadou Ndiaye Jr.
2 min readSep 5, 2023

--

Have you ever found yourself standing in a pop-up show or gallery, completely captivated by a single painting? It’s as if that piece of art is whispering to you, forging a connection that’s impossible to ignore. You feel an inexplicable pull, an emotional resonance that’s hard to put into words. And then, you know — you just have to make it yours, to bring that unique magic into your home.

In that moment, it’s not just the artwork that you appreciate; it’s the artist behind it. They’ve managed to create an intangible bond between you and their creation, all without ever meeting you. It’s a superpower possessed by artists and creators — the ability to effortlessly establish profound connections.

We can all agree that creators of fine arts and high-end collectibles deserve the utmost praise for their talents, as well as fair compensation for their work. Of course, they receive compensation when you make that initial purchase at a gallery. However, there’s a stark reality within the Collectibles Industry. Physical collectible creators often miss out on royalties from their creations or any participation in the resale market.

It’s a well-known fact that collectibles can appreciate in value over the years. As the original creator achieves new milestones and reaches higher plateaus in their career, the value of their past work also skyrockets. So, that painting you felt that deep connection with could easily be worth double, or even more, than its original price.

Consider the legendary Jean-Michel Basquiat, for instance. During the peak of his career, his individual paintings were priced between $10,000 and $25,000. Today, posthumously, a piece like “Untitled (1982)” sold for a staggering $110 million. Imagine the transformative impact if he or his estate received royalties from that transaction.

This is the very paradigm that Timbucktoo is determined to transform. Our platform, driven by the cutting-edge power of AI and blockchain technology, ensures that creators of high-end collectibles can forever benefit from their work and cultivate a vibrant collector community. We achieve this by generating digital certificates paired with physical works that can verify collectibles and facilitate automatic royalty payouts on every resale. These certificates also grant collectors access to the creators’ private community, fostering deeper connections among connoisseurs of creativity.

Our ultimate aspiration is for Timbucktoo to stand at the crossroads of Culture, Community, and Commerce. We’re dedicated to elevating the experiences tied to collectibles, where the artistic journey of creators and the passion of collectors converge in perfect harmony. Welcome to Timbucktoo, where we aim to redefine the way we engage with culture, community, and commerce, making every collectible a story worth sharing.

Follow us on instagram: @thetimbucktoo

--

--

Mamadou Ndiaye Jr.

Founder & Technologist whose passionate about empowering others. Founder of RE:LINK the tech company behind Timbucktoo. Co-host of #1 Web3 Podcast BLOC 2 BLOC.