Local photographer hits international limelight
Local photographer, Maria Thundu of Mars Photography, is among hundreds of photographers from across the globe participating in the ongoing Addis Foto Fest (AFF).
The fest is a biennial international photography festival held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In an interview, Thundu could not hide her excitement as she is the only Malawian photographer attending the event.
“I am extremely proud of the fact that I was selected from over 800 applicants globally to participate in this biennial exhibition.
They narrowed the selection down to 160 exhibitors. It is my first ever exhibition to attend and I hope it will not be my last,” she said.
Thundu said she has the opportunity to showcase Malawi talent, promote the country and have the chance and ability to tell local stories from a unique point of view.
The event will also feature presentations, solo exhibitions and art installations over a four-day period.
“We have also been tasked with specific photography activities that will be submitted to an awards ceremony that will close the Addis Foto Fest on 10 December,” said Thundu.
Established in 2010 by award-winning photographer and cultural entrepreneur, Aida Muluneh, the AFF is the first and only international photography festival in East Africa.
The event’s website addisfotofest.com says: “Maria has quickly become one of Malawi’s most sought-after photographers for her candid style, which captures the essence of the subjects, allowing them to be comfortable in front of the camera and to be themselves, often forgetting that they are being documented.”
In Malawi, Thundu has also worked on humanitarian photography projects with Unesco, UN Women, Standard Bank, The Hunger Project and LSPCA, among others.
