Vibrant Textiles and Repurposed Eyewear Camouflage the Subjects of Thandiwe Muriu’s Celebratory Portraiture
All photos © Thandiwe Muriu, shared with permission
From chunky hair beads and rollers to sink strainers and brake pedals, Nairobi-based photographer Thandiwe Muriu (beforehand) finds modern use for strange objects. Worn as glasses that obscure a topic’s id, the repurposed objects add cultural aptitude to Muriu’s vibrant portraits and are linked to each her background and Kenyan life, extra broadly. Pink fringe evokes the tassel that hung from her uncle’s Toyota Corolla, which transported the artist dwelling from faculty every day, whereas the orange plastic drain catcher references the enjoyment present in sharing chores. She explains:
In Kenya, when a bunch of associates meet, the ladies normally collect within the kitchen to wash up after the meal is completed, and as is a part of Kenyan tradition, wash the piles of dishes by hand. This routine activity all of a sudden turns into a second of laughter and tales as the ladies mingle and bonds are strengthened…(The portrait) celebrates the African spirit of group because it turns humble sink strainers into vibrant circles of pleasure.
Shot in opposition to daring cloth backdrops printed with dizzying patterns, Muriu’s works conceal her topics’ our bodies underneath completely aligned clothes, leaving solely their heads and arms seen. The pictures are a part of her ongoing CAMO collection, which explores how tradition each creates and consumes particular person identities. Incorporating wealthy coloration palettes and conventional architectural hairstyles, Muriu celebrates her African heritage whereas questioning magnificence requirements and self-perception.
A number of the photographer’s portraits are on view this month at Photo London 2022 and at 1-54 Fair in New York. In July, she’ll have a solo present with 193 Gallery on the new Maison Kitsuné Gallery in New York, as effectively. You possibly can discover the total CAMO collection on her site and Instagram.
Picture © Thandiwe Muriu
Picture © Thandiwe Muriu
Picture © Thandiwe Muriu
Picture © Thandiwe Muriu
Picture © Thandiwe Muriu
Picture © Thandiwe Muriu
Picture © Thandiwe Muriu
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