Friend of the Forest

$65.00$2,245.00

On a sweltering afternoon in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, just as I was about to call it a day, a young Suri girl stopped me in my tracks. There she was, standing quietly on a trail through their village, a red flower and a circlet of leaves gracing her face. Her adornments, both beautiful and resourceful, prompted me to reach for my camera one last time.

The Suri children had been curious, their faces lighting up with each click of my camera. Yet with this girl, our interaction was brief, her calmness in stark contrast to the buzz of activity around us. The sunlight fell generously over the landscape, casting her in a warm glow. In that moment, I realized I was witnessing something profoundly beautiful – her spirit, reflected in her decorations and the dignified poise with which she wore them, echoed the essence of an old soul.

Limited Edition vs Open Edition:
Limited Edition pieces are printed on archival museum-grade, archival rag paper or premium museum canvas, using long-lasting pigment inks. The Collection items are shipped as print-only. If you opt for the museum paper, your new photographic artwork will be bordered by a 1.5-inch white margin, which will be signed, titled, embossed, and numbered…
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Description

On a sweltering afternoon in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, just as I was about to call it a day, a young Suri girl stopped me in my tracks. There she was, standing quietly on a trail through their village, a red flower and a circlet of leaves gracing her face. Her adornments, both beautiful and resourceful, prompted me to reach for my camera one last time.

The Suri children had been curious, their faces lighting up with each click of my camera. Yet with this girl, our interaction was brief, her calmness in stark contrast to the buzz of activity around us. The sunlight fell generously over the landscape, casting her in a warm glow. In that moment, I realized I was witnessing something profoundly beautiful – her spirit, reflected in her decorations and the dignified poise with which she wore them, echoed the essence of an old soul.

The road to the Suri was long and challenging, demanding a full day’s drive and constant armed security while we were there. As one of the most remote tribes among the 16 in the Omo Valley, their traditions, which include face paint, adornments, and even painful rituals like lip plates and scarification, are a testament to their resilience. Their pride in their scars, which they regard as badges of honor, and their dedication to their customs reminded me of the preservation of traditions across cultures.

In many ways, the Suri decorate themselves for similar reasons that we do back home in America – for self-expression, for celebration, for the sake of tradition. Like the preservation of royal customs, the Suri fight to conserve their traditions in an ever-evolving world. This encounter highlighted for me the remarkable strength that exists alongside the fragility of humanity, the beauty that flourishes amidst hardship, the resilience that endures despite the odds.

I feel it’s moments like this that remind us of our interconnectedness, of the remarkable diversity of life on this planet, and they offer a glimpse into lives remarkably different from our own. This young Suri girl, with her leaf circlet, her red flower, and the confident look in her eyes, provided one such moment. Through my lens, I had the privilege to witness and capture her strength, her resilience, and her captivating beauty, forever etched in my memory.

Additional information

Size

8"x12", 12"x18", 24"x36", 30"x45", 32"x48", 36”x54"

Paper

Museum Quality Paper, Professional Photo Paper, Museum Canvas

Edition

Initialed Open Edition, Signed Limited Edition

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CAPTURE THE LIGHT, SHARE THE LIGHT; TOGETHER, WE BRIGHTEN THE WORLD.

Photography that tugs at the threads of our shared humanity

My hope is to tell stories that help people see the light within themselves and in others. Through my lens, I aim to capture the beauty that endures, even in the toughest times, and the truths that need to be faced. I believe that when we do this, we create a more compassionate, brighter world.

© 2024 · Marshall Foster Photography

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