African Photo Magazine Issue #8
We are particularly delighted to publish, in this issue, photographers showcasing studio photography talent that echoes the work of one of Africa’s greats, Malick Sidibé (1936–2016). Photographers Hassan Hajjaj, Omar Diop and Samuel Fosso have stayed true to the photographic style that made Mr Sidibé’s work legendary. The portraitures are uniquely stylish and follow signature themes that clearly identify each photographers artistic bent. The work of this trio speaks to the heart of this publication, the genesis of which was to not only celebrate contemporary African photography but to reach back and illuminate the artistry and creativity of our forefathers and those that came before us, and to never forget that we stand on the shoulders of giants.
We are particularly delighted to publish, in this issue, photographers showcasing studio photography talent that echoes the work of one of Africa’s greats, Malick Sidibé (1936–2016). Photographers Hassan Hajjaj, Omar Diop and Samuel Fosso have stayed true to the photographic style that made Mr Sidibé’s work legendary. The portraitures are uniquely stylish and follow signature themes that clearly identify each photographers artistic bent. The work of this trio speaks to the heart of this publication, the genesis of which was to not only celebrate contemporary African photography but to reach back and illuminate the artistry and creativity of our forefathers and those that came before us, and to never forget that we stand on the shoulders of giants.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
y Monica Mark BuzzFeed News Reporter<br />
H<br />
air opportunities are endless for 21-year-old Laetitia Ky from the Ivory Coast,<br />
who began braiding her own hair at the age of 5. After subsequently discovering<br />
YouTube and the beauty blog universe in her adolescence, Ky took her defined<br />
plaits and started sculpting her hair into dizzying multimedia art pieces. From<br />
waist-skimming, tribal fabric-woven dreadlocks to manipulating her kinky texture<br />
into a towering multi-strand ponytail and adorning it with fresh-cut flowers to denote her own “tree<br />
of life,” each style is more mesmerizing than the next. “It’s important to express my <strong>African</strong> heritage<br />
through my hairstyles,” she explains. “I use myself as a canvas to symbolize self-assurance and<br />
self-love.” Ky also seeks to influence the political discourse with her work, from a pistol-shaped<br />
ponytail in protest of gun violence to a floating male stick figure grabbing a female figure’s skirt<br />
above her head to represent the #MeToo movement. And to accompany these charged creations,<br />
she often shares a firsthand story penned by a follower in the caption to powerful effect. “From my<br />
feminism to other causes I support, I use my work to address what I believe in,” she says. “This form<br />
of expression lets me be heard.” Making vigorous strides toward social change with aspirational<br />
natural styles, she’s in good company.<br />
50 africanphotomagazine ISSUE 8 December 2018 51
Change language