African Lens 3 | Review by Funke Makinwa
“Curation is arguably one of the more underappreciated talents within the arts. The process of conscientiously stringing together a series of works from multiple artists, blending and arranging them to represent a fascinating visual maze as an innovative three-way dialog between creators, consumers and curators. Now in its third edition, African Lens volume 3 is a testament to the beauty and importance of this discipline.
Page by page, it is strikingly evident to see the meticulous degree of detail and attention that has been dedicated to providing a platform for each photographer to both visually and textually deliver their story in a framework that only enhances their work. No one photographer takes on the task of telling a story outside the scope of their lens. Instead, our gaze is directed at appreciating and understanding the narratives of the visions laid before us, whether seemingly simple or captivatingly complex. We journey from Enugu, Nigeria to Khartoum, Sudan, from Dadaab, Kenya, to Matare, Zimbabwe, Bui, Ghana, and more, uncovering scenes of life and nature that subvert and challenge our awareness of places rarely paid attention to in the world of visual storytelling.
As with previous editions of African Lens, volume 3 is both familiar as it is unfamiliar. Absorbed and completely engrossed in this comforting paradox, its only disappointment – if one can call it that – is that it leaves me wanting more.”
- Funke Makinwa ( @dynamicafrica)
Khadija Farah (Kenya/USA)
Enefaa Thomas (Nigeria)
Darryl kwaku Otten (Ghana/UK)
Mutua Matheka (Kenya)
Kgomotso Neto (South Africa)
Gyamfi Eric (Ghana)
Hisham Abdelaziz Mamoun (Sudan)
Steven Chikosi (Zimbabwe)
Motherland Cover Photography: Hisham A. Mamoun
Diaspora Cover Photography: Darryl Kwaku Otten
Design/Creative direction: 2dots Space
150 pages
8x11in
© 2015 African Lens
