David Sanou began his apprenticeship in his father André Sanou’s studio in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, at the age of thirteen. The commercial studio is renowned for innovating new forms of masquerade, both when it was run by André Sanou until his retirement in 2009, and now by his son. In addition to headpieces of longstanding mask genres, individuals can commission new forms such as a Photo Mask headpiece carved to closely resemble a deceased loved one, or a Compromise Kimi headpiece which tempers the dramatic naturalism of Photo Masks.

David Sanou’s clients are largely affluent individuals who are consistent patrons of masquerade in their hometowns or districts. Historically, blacksmiths carved mask headpieces in this region.

Today, due to the reputation of the studio and the high quality of its work, David Sanou, who is not a blacksmith, receives more high-status commissions from elite patrons, and more commissions overall, than any other sculptor in the region.