Edwin Ndeke: Kibera
Edwin Ndeke’s body of work focuses on Kibera — one of the largest urban settlements in the world which is situated on the periphery of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital with a population of approximately 2.5 million. Poverty, disease and crime are not uncommon when discussing Kenya and Africa in general, but all this goes to show is the common bias and overall negative perception of the region. As Ndeke mentions, these challenges are impossible to deny but he feels that it’s his social and moral duty as a citizen and photographer to tell a different narrative and challenge the commonly held belief that there is nothing more to the place than this. Ndeke’s photoessay offers the viewer a vibrant community and a completely different perspective, which is refreshing and it feels rather positive and optimistic.
The images are colorful and full of energy and life. We see an artist in his studio painting what appears to be a landscape work, surrounded by his materials and other artworks. There are people having fun, dancing, wearing interesting jewelry and clothes, enjoying precious time with their newly born child, taking strolls around their home, peacefully enjoying a festival and other communal activities.
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