We celebrate the achievements of women around the globe, and I am thrilled to shine a spotlight on a remarkable figure whose work embodies the spirit of this day: Adama Delphine Fawundu, a Sierra Leonean-American artist whose photography and visual artistry have become a vibrant tapestry of African culture and heritage.
A Journey Rooted in Heritage and Education
Born in Brooklyn, NY, to a family rich in African roots, Fawundu was the first in her family born on American soil. Her academic journey took her from Stony Brook University to New York University, and finally to Columbia University, where she completed her MFA in Visual Arts. Today, she stands as a Professor of Visual Arts at Columbia, nurturing the next generation of creative minds. This academic progression underscores her commitment to both personal growth and the cultivation of future artists.
Fawundu’s marriage to Howard Buford and their three sons, Amal, Che Ali (an alumna of the New York Philharmonic and composer), and Ras Kofi, is a testament to her role as a matriarch in a family that celebrates the arts and culture. Her work, however, extends far beyond the confines of her home and academic settings.
Capturing the African Diaspora
Since 1993, Fawundu has been capturing the essence of the African Diaspora through her lens. Her journey began in the vibrant world of hip-hop photography, contributing to iconic publications such as The Source, Vibe, and Beat Down Magazines. Her 10-year odyssey documenting hip-hop culture and urban music across the African continent has produced a rich archive of images that tell a story of cultural connection and influence.
Fawundu’s project ‘Deconstructing She,’ showcased at the LagosPhoto Festival, used her own image to challenge stereotypes and the lingering shadows of slavery. Her installation ‘In the Face of History’ presented a poignant wall of documents that spoke to the oppression of women and African Americans, garnering high praise from reviewers.
Championing Female Photographers
In 2017, Fawundu co-authored ‘MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora,’ a groundbreaking journal and book that celebrates the work of female photographers of African descent. The book’s critical acclaim led to a tour that included prestigious venues like the Tate Modern and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Her show ‘The sacred star of Isis and other stories’ further explored the intersection of traditional Mende beliefs and modern values through mixed media photographic works. This exhibit, along with her latest solo exhibit ‘No Wahala, It’s All Good: A Spiritual Cypher within the Hip-Hop Diaspora,’ continues to highlight the cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora.
Exhibitions and Recognitions
Fawundu’s art is held in high esteem, with pieces exhibited in esteemed institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago. Her accolades include a Photography Fellowship from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Anonymous Was A Woman Award.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s important to remember the origins of this day, rooted in the early 20th-century efforts to promote women’s rights. From the first National Woman’s Day in the United States to the global recognition of women’s achievements, March 8th has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
Weaving Cultural Narratives
Fawundu’s work, particularly her series ‘I Am Here: Girls Reclaiming Safe Spaces,’ resonates with the themes of International Women’s Day. Her photographs of Black girls in Brooklyn and her use of garra fabric designs from Sierra Leone weave together personal and cultural narratives that speak to the freedom, love, and joy that should be afforded to all women.
The artist’s use of garra, a meticulous hand-dying technique, is a metaphor for the communal effort required to create change. It is a reminder that the fabric of society is richer when the stories and contributions of women are included. Fawundu’s work is a celebration of the ancestral knowledge that informs and shapes our present and future.
A Beacon for Women’s Empowerment
With over two decades of experience, Fawundu has documented the evolution of global Hip-Hop and urban youth culture. Her co-founding of MFON and the publication of the book of the same name are milestones in her mission to elevate the voices of women photographers of the African Diaspora.
Fawundu’s artistry is not just a reflection of her personal journey but a beacon for women’s empowerment and cultural memory. Her work encourages us to look at the patterns of history, to uncover what has been hidden, and to recognize the continuum of past, present, and future that we all carry within us.
We celebrate the accomplishments of women such as Adama Delphine Fawundu; let us also pledge to build a world where every woman can declare, ‘I Am Here,’ and be recognized, listened to, and honored. Let’s continue to weave the vibrant patterns of women’s stories into the fabric of our collective history, ensuring that the legacy of International Women’s Day is carried forward with joy, resilience, and an unwavering spirit of progress.
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