Art & Fashion

The Artist Shining A Light On Water Poverty In Ethiopia – In Pictures

A detail from ‘Star shine moon glow’ by artist Aïda Muluneh. 

Although artist Aïda Muluneh had an itinerant childhood in Europe and America, she was born in Addis Ababa and is an expert in African photography. When charity Water Aid asked her to participate in a campaign highlighting water poverty, it was the women of Afar, northern Ethiopia, that she shot for her series Water Life, now included in Ekow Eshun’s new book of African art and photography, In the Black Fantastic (Thames & Hudson), published to coincide with a show at London’s Hayward Gallery. Muluneh was pleased that Water Aid wanted to use art for advocacy rather than reportage. “Our continent has many layers,” she says. “However, we have been at the mercy of the international media that does not show the complexities of our challenges. My approach has been to tell a story from my perspective, not based on cliches often covered by foreign photographers.”

 

The shackles of limitations

 

The shackles of limitations from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.

Idle whims

 

Idle whims from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.

The sorrows we bear

 

The sorrows we bear from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.

The meter

 

The meter from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.
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Knowing the way to tomorrow

 

Knowing the way to tomorrow from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.

Unfilled promises

 

Unfilled promises from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.

Steps

 

Steps from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.

A woman’s work

 

A woman’s work from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.
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Star shine moon glow

 

Star shine, moon glow from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.

Mirage of privilege

 

Mirage of privilege

Distant echoes of dreams

 

Distant echoes of dreams from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.

Beside the door

 

Beside the door from the art photography project Water Life commissioned by Water Aid which highlights water quality and poverty in Ethiopia.

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