Hans Silvester
Over the course of numerous voyages to the Omo Valley, Hans Silvester became fascinated by the beauty of the Surma, Mursi, Hamer and Kurma peoples, who share a taste for body painting and extravagant decorations borrowed from nature. For these people, nature itself is the highest standard of beauty, and they honor nature’s beauty by adorning themselves with it.
With an acute awareness of the intricacies in nature’s balances, the people of the Omo Valley wear flowers and leaves, branches and fruit in highly refined art compositions. The paint applied to their bodies and faces demonstrates an art form that requires centuries of respect for nature to achieve such sophistication. Their beauty is breathtaking.
Hans Silvester’s photographs capture these accoutrements in his photo gallery of African fashion that is as rich as it is ephemeral. None of the shots are random. Silvester’s direction, especially with the children, is sublime. Unforced light mixes with the colors of weeds, clay, flowers and skin. Beyond the spectacle of their intricate blending with the land are unforgettable sets of beautiful eyes peering into his lens. 160 color photos.
Paper 29.95
