The Indigenous Lens Photographic Arts
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We’re concerned with creating compelling visual narratives far more than we are with adhering to the ever-changing contours of the mainstream.
Since 2009, The Indigenous Lens Photographic Arts (ILPA) has approached photography as a means of reintroducing beauty and heritage to identity through the art of visual conversation. ILPA has worked to make visible the lives, struggles & triumphs of Africa’s scattered children as a catalyst for raising social consciousness and exploring cultural values for self and community healing. From photojo
26/11/2020
https://www.tafarimelisizwe.com/blog/2020/11/25/sitting-at-the-long-table-happy-birthday-dawoud-bey
Sitting at the Long Table: Happy Birthday Dawoud Bey — Tafari Melisizwe …[I]n making your work, you’re always engaged in a historical conversation. There’s a long table full of people who have done significant things, and then you come along and there’s an empty seat. But you gotta have something to say. — Dawoud Bey, on Photographing People and Communities, 2...
05/02/2019
I think my dad had a little more nuanced experience being Black in America. So he always talked about racism... More than a regular Tanzanian person I think. He had read all the books - Martin Luther King, Malcolm X - you know, he had gone through that entire process, so he told me about it when we were younger. Now that I think about it, we watched Roots when I was like six (laughs). And my parents actually didn’t want me to watch it, but like, they were watching it, and I was there and kind of watched it anyways. So it there was always in the back of my mind this knowledge that there was division and racism in America. And also, we had our own version of the slave trade in Tanzania, right? So it was easy for us to understand how it happened on the opposite side of Africa because it happened in East Africa. So, growing up I had a general understanding of Black American History, and as I got older, I think one of the things - personally, I was on Twitter a lot, so Black Twitter was a thing for me, it was an entity in itself. It educated me on so many other things that were happening to black people in America. So I think I didn’t necessarily have an accurate understanding of what the Black American experience was, but I kind of understood, I think I had enough context by the time I got here.
Enriched dependence by Africans of Atlanta Golder-mier, with a hyphen. My father’s name is Faustin. The way it works in Tanzania is that your father’s name is your middle name, so I usually use Golder-mier Faustin. I used to use Golder Faustin actually. I was born Golder-mier Faustin Kamuzora. When I was a kid, I didn't like my name. I d...
28/11/2018
Don't forget that you can still take 40% off your entire order AND get free shipping by entering 'diasporadical' at checkout.
Fill your home with authentic images from Cuba, Ethiopia and Ghana... Enter Promo Code 'diasporadical' at checkout. That's it. theindigenouslens.pixieset.com
20/11/2018
Fill your home with authentic images from Cuba, Ethiopia and Ghana... Enter Promo Code 'diasporadical' at checkout. That's it. theindigenouslens.pixieset.com
05/11/2018
This special collection comprises images from my week in Cuba in June of this year. Freedom-Notes from Cuba gives you a unique and unfiltered glimpse into Afro-Cuban spirituality, culture and movement. Available now through December 1st, the images in this collection are from Cuban capital Havana and Perico, a small community in Matanzas Province.
You can get free shipping and 15% off orders of $150 or more by entering promo code 'CUBALIBRE' at checkout!
https://theindigenouslens.pixieset.com/g/notesfromcuba/
02/06/2018
Commencement celebration for AYA Educational Institute
19/07/2017
Love | 2017
08/06/2017
Take 15% off of your print with the discount code 'june25' at checkout! www.tinyurl.com/tafarisale
04/06/2017
During the month of June, We're offering an amazing sale on a curated selection of our photography artwork. You won't find prices this low online from me again, so now is a fantastic time to get your next piece of cultural art that tells a story for your home, office, institution or place of worship. These make EXCELLENT gifts too!
Printed on amazing quality metallic or linen lustre paper (your choice of which), only 100 prints will be sold at this price during the month of June, so explore the gallery and order your prints today!
Here's how you can get started: www.tinyurl.com/tafarisale
Please help me by sharing the link far and wide! Selling artwork allows me to go out and produce more!
29/05/2017
Unframed 11x17 AND 24x36 metallic and lustre prints such as these below are going to be available later today or tomorrow! Purchase link to come soon!
31/01/2017
We're moving! to a new camera system, that is... (from Canon to Fujifilm!) we are preparing to launch a new series of African-Inspired photojournalism projects and need your help to get us there!
You can support these projects and get great images by taking advantage of this 1-hr Photo Session here:
http://crossedcrocodiles.com/photofundraiser
or here:
https://www.paypal.me/tafarimelisizwe/100
This special is available for you if you live in Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia or Washington D.C.
Lock in your rate now and use it whenever it makes sense for you
Shots for Atlanta sessions will begin on March 3rd!
Shoots for Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. will run between May 21st - May 27th, With additional July dates TBD.
If you have any questions, please call me at 612.229.9405
Additionally, If you'd simply like to donate to helping make the work happen, please select the appropriate box under pricing! Thank you for your support!
Here's the link to purchase again:
http://crossedcrocodiles.com/photofundraiser
and again:
https://www.paypal.me/tafarimelisizwe/100
