Easter Sunday, Kibbish, Ethiopia

2013
Archival Pigment Photograph
56
x
75
in

Signed, dated, and numbered from edition of 20 on recto. Signed, titled, dated, and editioned on certificate of authenticity.

This picture is not the product of camera technique; it is the result of solid logistics and the investment of time and emotion. These Suri villagers near the Sudanese border are not accustomed to westerners and I had to gain their trust and commitment to help. The key to securing this degree of cooperation was to win the support of the tribal chief and this in turn required meeting him when he was sober and approachable. To work safely and effectively in Kibbish is a project that ends with a picture like this, but begins many weeks before. To me this image conveys dignity, pride and grace. It was the most extraordinary Sunday of my life and it was actually Easter Sunday. – David Yarrow