Water No Get Enemy

To explore the theme of water, the African Artists Foundation embarked on a cultural exchange with the Netherlands. Both countries are deltas with a high population density and therefore share water management problems at the core of our agendas. The exchange aimed to generate a consciousness on water, with regards to its usage, availability, supply, potential threats, and paradoxical scarcity in a world that consists of 75% water. Here are the photographers responses. 

Chinenye John’s documentary style images reveal the paradoxical problems with plastic water bottles and their disposal in our drainage systems and environment.

The Zionists is a strong visual narrative on rituals associated with water and prayers offered to God. Mário Macilau (b. 1984, Mozambique, lives and works in Maputo) is a multi-disciplinary artist most known for his photography. Macilau specialises in long-term photography projects and series that address the complex realities of human labour and environmental conditions. Macilau started his journey as a photographer in 2003 from the streets of Maputo, becoming professional when he traded his mother's cell phone for his first camera in 2007"

The series 'A million Shillings' by British photojournalist Alixandra Fazzina is a rather sombre reminder of the dangers of the perilous ocean journeys African migrants navigate in an effort to reach Europe for what they are convinced is a better life.

Olayinka Sangotoye’s images of posed swimmers showcase some of our potential for tourism. Olayinka is both a conceptual and documentary photographer. He expresses his feelings through graphic design, paintings, sculpture, ceramics and installation. One of his outstanding awards in the art scene is the National Art Competition which he won twice, in 2009 and 2011 using photography as a medium. Also an award winner of the Life in my City National Award, he has participated twice in Lagosphoto Festival and other notable exhibitions and reputable art auctions.