Thandiwe Muriu
CAMO 36
Photography, fine art Baryta
60x 90 cm
2021
Courtesy of the artist and 193 Gallery

“A diamond does not lose value due to lack of admiration” – an African proverb 

Thandiwe Muriu (b.1990) is a fine art photographer born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. As a female artist operating in a previously male-dominated field, she is passionate about celebrating and empowering her fellow women. In her CAMO series, Muriu showcases Africa’s unique mix of vibrant cultures, textiles and beauty norms. Through her work she celebrates her African heritage and tackles important issues such as identity and self-perception using the rich colors and vibrancy the continent is so well known for. 

Drawing inspiration from African textiles, everyday objects and traditional hairstyles, Muriu explores how the individual can lose their identity to culture. In her work she not only explores who she is as an artist, but also as a black woman. Through CAMO, Muriu aims to reclaim the self-love of the African woman who is often excluded from beauty standards in her own country.

Camo 36 is a modern interpretation to the traditional African fashion piece and a reminder to the viewer that every time a woman puts on a headwrap, she adorns herself with the equivalent of a regal coronet, drawing the viewer’s gaze upwards in the same way a crown does for a queen.

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