Born in 1974, Aïda Muluneh is an Ethiopian photographer who spent much of her childhood in Yemen, Cyprus and England, before moving to Canada and the United States to study.…
Born in 1974, Aïda Muluneh is an Ethiopian photographer who spent much of her childhood in Yemen, Cyprus and England, before moving to Canada and the United States to study.
Having graduated in film from Howard University in Washington in 2000, she worked as a photojournalist for publications including the Washington Post. In 2004, her work was acquired for the permanent collection of the prestigious Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African Art. In 2007, she won the European Union Prize at the Rencontres de la Photographie de Bamako.
Her works explore themes related to African identity, culture and society. Her work is characterised by a bold and daring use of powerful graphic compositions.
A committed woman...
Her ambition is to offer an African perspective on Africa. She then returned to Ethiopia after 28 years away and founded the Addis Foto Fest, a first in East Africa. The idea was to bring African-American and African photographers together, and to encourage Ethiopian photographers to take ownership of their country’s narrative.
She also founded DESTA (Development and Educating Society Through Art) – which means ‘happiness’ in Amharic, her mother tongue – to carry on the most precious gift her mother and Canada gave her: education.
She wants the photography sector and the arts in general to be a priority area for development.
Permits for everything...
But in Ethiopia, Aïda Muluneh is confronted with a lack of photographic culture, largely limited to wedding photos. Especially as, in an autocratic and bureaucratic country, photographers are often treated with hostility.
“Photography is viewed with suspicion,” she explains.
When she sends her students to Mercato, Africa’s largest open-air market, the young photographers are manhandled by traders or harassed by the police.
“You need permits for everything. And the one issued by the Ministry of Communication isn’t recognised by the police. It makes no sense.”
The Return of Departure, 2017
Painted Faces...
One of her most popular works, “Painted Faces”, features young African women with faces painted in bright blue, white or red. The models transcend their simple representation of African identity to become living canvases of artistic expression. The models transcend their simple representation of African identity to become living canvases of artistic expression.
His creations are remarkable, characterised by the use of vibrant colours and striking contrasts, which highlight themes that are both intense and intimate.
The other woman, 2017
Water Life...
Aïda Muluneh has produced a series of 12 photographs for the NGO WaterAid, drawing attention to the lack of access to clean water around the world.
In this dreamlike setting, she brings a modern touch to each photograph. She immediately makes her mark, telling a story in twelve scenes: that of the difficulties in accessing water in certain parts of the world, and how this crucial issue rests on the shoulders of women, at least as far as Africa is concerned.
These photos were taken in the town of Dallo in Ethiopia, reputed to be the hottest place on earth.
The works in this series were on display at the Tate Modern gallery in London until January 2024. 
The shackles of limitations, 2018