Adreinne Waheed, Untitled, Afro Punk-Brooklyn, NY. Courtesy of the artist and MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora

“I don’t consider myself a minority. I’ve always been aware of that element of who I know myself to be and what is being portrayed to me in a grand way. When I make images, I’m always thinking about my intention. What am I trying to say? Is it necessary? What type of communication am I having with my subject? Am I being objective as a journalist?”

– Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, R&K QandA

MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora

Art in Embassies and U.S. Embassy Kigali sponsored a cultural exchange with documentary photographer Laylah Amatullah Barrayn and visual artist Adama Delphine Fawundu. The award-winning and critically acclaimed artists, Barrayn and Fawandu, traveled to Kigali, Rwanda, from May 12-18, 2019.

LocationKigali, Rwanda
Project TypeArt Collaboration
Partnership
Residence Exhibit

Art in Embassies and U.S. Embassy Kigali facilitated a cultural exchange with documentary photographer Laylah Amatullah Barrayn and visual artist Adama Delphine Fawundu. The award-winning and critically acclaimed artists, Barrayn and Fawandu, traveled to Kigali, Rwanda, from May 12 through May 18, 2019.

A selection of photos from their book, MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora, an independently published anthology featuring photographic works created by 118 African and Diasporic women artists representing 27 nations, is currently on view at the official Residence of U.S. Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman.

Exchange Outreach

This cross-cultural artist exchange included masterclasses, workshops, and artist-to-artist meetings focused on creating awareness of the impact that women photographers of African descent have in the world.

Deborah Willis, View From the Pulpit. Eatonville, Florida. Courtesy of the artist and MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora

About the Artists

Kigali Exhibition