In it's third edition, Africa Foto Fair (AFF) culminated it's 2024 exhibition featuring artists from over 30 countries in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. A platform birthed in Ethiopia before traveling to plant roots in Western African soil, Africa Foto Fair provides opportunities for education and connection across the continent and beyond.
Staying true to the platforms ethos and Founder Aida Muluneh's vision, AFF continues to showcase how creativity and photography have long demonstrated their power to be a catalyst for socio-political discourse and change. Join us as we spotlight our favourite visual works and artists from this years exhibition. You can view the full list of exhibiting photographers on the Africa Foto Fair website.
N'cho Jean-Louis - THE ABIDJANAISE Côte d'Ivoire
During my journey to reconnect with my roots, I captured enchanting moments in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Abidjan, a dynamic metropolis, blends various ethnicities and is rich in culinary, artistic, and musical diversity. Côte d'Ivoire hosts sixty ethnic groups, each with unique cultures, languages, and striking masks rich in spiritual and artistic significance. These masks, central to rituals and traditions, represent ancestral spirits and deities. My photographs highlight these masks within the daily life of Abidjan, showcasing the city's cultural tapestry.
Thulani Kubeka - "Kolorblind: A Monochromatic Narrative of Punk Expression in Soweto"
South Africa
In my photographic series, "Kolorblind," I delve into the vibrant world of a Soweto punk band, exploring the stark contrast between the societal lens and the intricate tapestry of their lives. These individuals challenge conformity through punk music and distinctive style, yet encounter prejudice for their unorthodox expression. Through black and white photography, I illuminate their nuanced existence, urging viewers to question surface judgments and appreciate their diverse experiences. "Kolorblind" captures moments of resilience, defiance, and camaraderie, showcasing the transformative power of music, identity, and culture to transcend barriers and foster understanding.
Tatenda Chidora - If Covid was a Colour
Zimbabwe
Instead of seeing Covid-19 as a blanket of dread and grief, It is used as the invisible backdrop. When it is on the surface, the pandemic is given bold imagery. He utilises its symbolism beyond the clinical, and transforms the symbols into icons that represent this moment in a whimsical way. The series explores the physical and conceptual nature of the black body, and its relationship to photographic agency with inventive explorations of belonging and vulnerability. The arch of the body may suggest movement and the composure may signify confidence, while the mosaic of masks or gloves draping the body enhances the sense of performance and sculpture.
Tim Gassauer - Lüderitz
Germany
Lüderitz is German Heimat. Lüderitz was to become a new Heimat for the Germans. Lüderitz left its Heimat behind and took the Heimat of other people. The work »Lüderitz« is set in two places that are around 12,000 kilometres apart and yet share the same name: Lüderitz in northern Saxony-Anhalt and Lüderitz in southwestern Namibia. The former is the origin of the von Lüderitz family, from which the merchant Adolf Lüderitz later emerged. In 1883, he laid the foundation for the consequential colonisation of what is now Namibia by fraudulently acquiring land. The starting point was a place named after him: Lüderitz. From then on, this was to be the new home for German settlers who followed the colonial promises of money and habitat to what was then known as »German South West Africa«. Until 1915, the country was under the violent "protection" of the German Reich and was at the same time the site of rich diamond deposits and the scene of the first genocide in the 20th century.
Mohamed Mahdy - Here, The Doors Don't Know Me
Egypt
In the neighbourhood of Al Max, a once-picturesque fishing community in Alexandria, Egypt, residents face the devastating news of their imminent displacement. Labelled "Little Venice" for its canal-side charm, their homes, and livelihoods are threatened by a government demolition plan. Years of uncertainty and a state-led media campaign have fueled resistance, but the demolitions continue. "Here, the doors don't know me" inspired by the fishers' plight, embarks on a project to capture their stories, collaborate with the community, and preserve their memories through photographs and heartfelt letters. As the sea-faring community loses their homes, their shared narratives become a testament to their resilience and unity.
Kevin Kimani - AGULET
Kenya
The submitted pictures are from the series AGULET, named after the muse. This collection is an expression of shape and form, colour and contrast, and ambiguity of space and time all coming together in harmony to create a set of images for this collection. The theme of this collection is open-ended and the viewer has the freedom to formulate their own interpretation(s) upon interacting with the pictures from this collection.
Mariette Kouame - Renaissance
Côte d'Ivoire
Renaissance is about turning the back to bad things and facing the light, the sun. It’s about feeding yourself, watering yourself again, to let go of the dead leaves and be born again.
Gus Sarkodee - Soul Sounds: The Symphonic Convergence of Man & Music
Ghana
Music connects people in a way few other things do, transcending language, culture, society, and time to tap into what is primal and universal. This unsung power inspired Gus Sarkodee’s series Soul Sounds: The Symphonic Convergence of Man and Music. Recognizing music's integral role in African and Black communities as an infinite medium of expression, Sarkodee's magnetic monochromatic photos explore musicianship with instruments like the Axatse and Grand Piano. Through these reimagined encounters between maestro and instrument, Sarkodee invites us to acknowledge the profound impact of music in our own lives.
Fawaz Oyedeji - Mo’ Advert, Mo’ Power
Nigeria
Every four years, as elections approach, party-political posters flood our cityscape. These posters have become a campaign weapon, allowing parties to assert dominance over urban spaces and display power. In Nigeria, political posters are a staple of election seasons. The printing industry, though still largely artisanal, is growing and crucial to political culture, worth millions. Posters, banners, and billboards continuously increase in size and dominance each campaign. Candidates use these visuals to portray themselves as ideal leaders, with portraits mimicking historic political figures. For a few months, politics becomes hyper-visible, until the images fade and promises are forgotten.
Chelsea Odufu - Gold with a Mind of Its Own
Nigeria
"Gold with a Mind of Its Own" explores the Akan people's deep connection with gold in Côte d'Ivoire. From spiritual taboos and socio-political symbolism to the haunting legacy of the gold trade, this series captures gold's profound influence on their history. Showcasing their territorial expansion, wealth, and power, it offers a futuristic yet pre-colonial perspective on the Akan people.
Ali Drabo - Mother Nature
My collection, titled "Mother Nature," is a series of five digital artworks highlighting the necessity to preserve our endangered environment. Each piece illustrates a distinct aspect of this struggle. "Symbiosis" depicts the vital interconnectedness between humans and nature. "Mother Protector" portrays a maternal figure as guardian of the endangered natural world. "Hope" shows the mother carrying the remaining fauna, symbolising her determination to protect life. "Love" celebrates the bond between mother and nature. The fifth artwork, "Fabulous," showcases the beauty and wonder of nature. Created from studio photos and digitally reworked, this series raises awareness of the urgent need to harmonise our relationship with nature.
Apah Benson - THE COLOUR OF HAPPINESS
Nigeria
In today’s demanding world, happiness is entangled with fleeting material pursuits and societal expectations. Once rooted in self-realisation, joy now bends to modern pressures. The Colour of Happiness explores how happiness manifests amidst these complexities, highlighting the rise in mental health issues. Through my lens, I reveal the darkness that lingers behind bright smiles, the struggles behind cheerful facades, redefining true happiness free from conformity. By incorporating yellow, the series juxtaposes genuine joy with darkness, urging viewers to contemplate that which is seen and not spoken.
Adedolapo Boluwatife - "Invitation to Invade"
"Invitation to Invade" depicts the impact of plastic pollution through metaphorical imagery to elicit emotional reactions and raise awareness. Growing up in Lagos, I witnessed plastic pollution's devastating effects. This project transforms plastic waste into art, inspiring a vision of a disaster-free environment. Using inventive lighting and impactful compositions, I highlight the burden of plastic waste and its impact on growth and development. My experiences have fueled my determination to raise awareness, advocate for change, and promote sustainability. These images urge collective responsibility to protect our ecosystem and combat plastic pollution.
Comentarios