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Throughout the streets of Senegal, numerous representations of a holy man’s photograph reflect the artful response of a devout Muslim population.

Through July 27, the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History presents “A Saint in the City: Sufi Arts of Urban Senegal,” the first major U.S. exhibition devoted to Senegalese arts and the predominance of religious leader Sheikh Amadou Bamba. Glass paintings, street murals, textiles, calligraphy and other works ranging from the mundane to the sacred fill the galleries, mimicking the pervasiveness of the saint’s image in urban Senegal today.

Bamba was the founder of a Sufi (mystic Muslim) movement called the Mouride Way, which advocated pacifism and a Protestant-like work ethic. Today his followers number in the millions and peacefully co-exist with three other Sufi movements in Senegal, each with their own religious leaders.

But it was the image of Bamba that fascinated co-curator Mary Nooter Roberts. She recognized his face and figure throughout Senegal in widespread artistic homage with one striking element in common: they all reflected a single photograph that was taken by intimidated French colonials in the early 20th century.

“This one photograph took on a life of its own,” said Nooter Roberts, who is also Fowler’s deputy director. “And it’s the only known image of the saint, so what you have are reproductions upon reproductions. With every artist, though, there are slight variations.”

The artwork featured throughout the exhibition, while always referring back to the white-robed, shadowy figure in the photo, relies upon the interpretative skills of each individual artist to bring the saint to life.

Paintings on glass by Mor Gueye, for example, document key moments in Bamba’s mystical life such as the miraculous prayer on the surface of the ocean and the taming of the spirit of a lion. In another gallery, colorful hand-painted posters by Elimane Falls integrate ornate calligraphy, text and the face of the saint to offer guidance to troubled Senegalese youth.

Also included in the multimedia show are recreations of a devotee’s house and a typical street scene in the Senegalese capital of Dakar, songs by world musicians (including Youssou N’Dour), Mouride garments, devotional video footage, and contemporary paintings and sculpture by internationally recognized artists.

Nooter Roberts and her husband Allen F. Roberts, a UCLA world arts and cultures professor and director of James S. Coleman African Studies Center, spent nine years traveling back and forth to Senegal, researching Bamba’s work and marveling at the commitment and dedication of his followers.

“It became apparent that there was an incredible story about how people live in his path. They take on all his obstacles as their own and use him as a reference point for everything in their lives,” Nooter Roberts said.

The curator warned gallery guards to expect devotional behavior from some of the L.A.-based Mourides who assisted in the development of the exhibition. She predicted that such disciples might touch or even kiss some of the objects in reverence to the saint.

In Senegal, Bamba’s followers were not surprised by the Roberts’ fascination with the arts and teaching of their beloved saint. On the contrary, they seemed to expect it.

“Bamba predicted that his message would spread,” Nooter Roberts said. “So they regard us as vehicles. They said to us, ‘We knew you would come.’”

The UCLA Fowler Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and Thursday until 8 p.m. Admission is free.