This is where I am, this is the title of the exhibition by photographer Aida Muluneh at the LouiSimone Guirandou gallery, in Abidjan. The vibrant photographs of this Ethiopian artist can be discovered until November 9, 2024.
From our correspondent in Abidjan,
Photographer Aida Muluneh works on primary colors and to highlight her works, the walls of the LouiSimone Guirandou gallery were repainted in blue, red and yellow. And on these walls, surrealist portraits of women in majesty, rich in symbols and in reference to her country, Ethiopia, are framed. We also see other photos which are directly stuck to the wall, like advertising posters. “ It’s like wallpaper… As soon as it dries, it becomes like a photo on the wall ”, according to an admirer of these works.
To discover the works on display, click here.
« I am very interested in a public exhibition of my work »
The photos on the wall are not works of art, but show the series as it was first released to the public. Commissioned by Public Art Fund, a New York non-profit organization, it was displayed on 330 bus stops in New York, Boston and Chicago, but also in Abidjan, in accordance with Aida Muluneh’s wishes. “ I am very interested in a public exhibition of my work, because I believe in also involving communities who do not go to galleries or museums, explains the artist, It was a very interesting experience for me to receive messages and photos from people in all these cities when they saw these images. And also, as an African, the fact of being able to exhibit in public space in the United States, it is a different dialogue that we engage in to show the scope of contemporary art from the continent. »
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The gallery exhibition allows viewers and collectors to discover the entire series, with all twelve photographs grouped together in one place. Gazelle Guirandou, who runs the gallery of the same namesays she was seduced by the personal character of the work: “ I love his work, I’ve already bought two photos from him. There, she wanted to be in a gallery, so I made her an offer, and she accepted. » These photos echo his past: “ She remains Ethiopian, in every way, in her work. I lived in Ethiopia, so I may not be very objective, but these are images, photography that speak to me enormously. They are always women, she always has Ethiopian accessories and outfits. And I admit that it reminds me a little of my childhood spent in Ethiopia. It may not please everyone, but from the moment it touches me and moves me, I want to share that emotion with others. »
In addition to her personal work, Aida Muluneh brings out the continent’s talents at the Africa Photo Fair, the annual African photography fair in Abidjan. The third edition will take place from October 31 to November 30, 2024 at MuCAT, the Abobo contemporary art museum.
Also read Aïda Muluneh, the initiator of Africa Foto Fair
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