Photos: Thandiwe Muriu / Institute
Text: Katerina Markelova, UNESCO
Act as if it is impossible to fail could be the mantra of Thandiwe Muriu. It is one of the African proverbs that she has matched to her photos in the series Camo* (for “camouflage”); in this way the Nairobi-born photographer adds a dimension to her images, creating a dialogue with the collective memory of her country.
Draped in ankara print fabrics, the bodies of the women blend into a décor with the same pattern, creating a visual illusion that is created without digital effects. A pop and publicity aesthetic – the field that Thandiwe Muriu comes from – will not be used to dupe the viewer.
Beyond the splashy colours and the carefully planned poses, the photos of Thandiwe Muriu aim to express the power of African women. And more subtly, their invisibility in society. Transformed into quirky fashion accessories, the lemon press, tea balls and hairpins reflect the inventiveness of these women who, lacking resources, infinitely recycle and reuse ordinary objects. Her work is seen as a veritable manifesto for Kenyan women.
Exhibited around the world in Paris and New York, Shanghai and Marrakesh, laureate of the 2020 People’s Choice Award at the Photo London fair, this self-taught photographer has shaped a solid reputation on the international art scene. Her success, however, does not stop her from regularly meeting with students to show them that art is not just a discipline for men. As far as the brook flows, it does not forget its source is another African proverb.
*The book Camo will be published in April 2024.
