What: African Beauty – a photographic exhibition by John Kenny
£££: FREE
When: Friday 24th May – Sunday 9th June 2013
Where: The Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8JT
Getting there: Nearest tube – Covent Garden
Africa’s visual culture has long been an influence on global fashion, with tribal influences spotted on the catwalk most seasons – the statement necklaces of SS13 being no exception.
This new exhibition of striking portraits in both mono and colour reveals the vibrant jewellery, delicate body art, beautiful fabrics and intricate hairstyles that decorate traditional groups from all over Africa – a massive continent which is home to as many ethnic groups as the rest of the world combined. FACT.
Seven years in the making, photographer John Kenny has travelled through zillions of African countries in East, West and Southern Africa to create a pretty powerful collection of pics.
The exhibition shows us the clever ways people in traditional communities engage with the ‘material world’ (thanks Madge) to express their identity. Each colour-popping item of clothing – from fabrics to beads and bling – reveals something about the wearer, and their social status.
From the fringes of the Sahara through to the arid communities of Angola and Namibia, Kenny’s photographs are an important journey into the creativity and sense of identity that lies behind the powerful and unique aesthetic of traditional village life.
Go there and be both humbled and inspired all at once. #CULTUREANDTHAT
For more info visit africacentre.org.uk.
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