The Eloquent Suri of Ethiopia: People, Art, Culture, Language

Over two visits to the remote Omo Valley region of Ethiopia (with a third in planning for 2023), I have developed a deep respect – even awe – for the proud Suri people and their culture, including their eloquent adornments based on local natural materials. With this developing collection, I celebrate the beauty and strength of these people and affirm our shared humanity. I also celebrate Suri literacy. Until the mid-2000s, there was no written form of the Suri language. Thanks to the Suri Literacy Project, which operated for 20 years starting in 2001, Suri can now find joy in reading and writing their mother tongue. The Literacy Project has graciously allowed me to tap the drawings and stories it created for students. My Eloquent Suri collection complements my Suri portraits with posters based on those literacy materials to further illustrate their culture and language. Sadly, the Literacy Project ended in 2021, due to lack of sponsorship. I'm working to revive the project. Any prize money I earn from this competition will go to that cause. My website, Instagram presence and a 60+ page book were based on imagery from my first visit to the Suri in 2019. I'm now at work on a second generation of this project, based on a 2021 visit, which included dozens of interviews with my Suri collaborators (all of whom received and welcomed a copy of my book). My first generation Suri portraits were in black and white; my second generation portraits are in color.