In Resistance Remembered, Sudanese photographer takes a critical look at a ‘forgotten war’ – a huge
In 2019, a revolution fueled by deep-seated discontent led to a coup that ousted then-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Then in 2021, the military led another coup to take control of the government. In April 2023, a full-scale civil war broke out between rival military groups trying to take control of the government: the country’s armed forces and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). All the ramifications of decades of tension, of an ever-evolving catastrophic struggle, continue today.
The conflict has also resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. While the toll continues to mount, with millions living in famine-stricken areas and nearly a third of the country’s population displaced, international media focus has largely been elsewhere. in his article time, Charlie Campbell showed a photo of Moises Samman and called the crisis a “forgotten war”.
Photographers are our eyes in Sudan, giving us a glimpse into the reality of war, displacement, hunger and hope in this war-torn country. Information is tightly controlled and the media is heavily censored, meaning very little is known about the events. But the images gave the crisis much-needed attention. With this in mind, the Africa Center has brought together the work of 12 emerging independent Sudanese photographers in a group exhibition Resistance in Memory: Visions of Sudan.
Reflecting compassion, love, joy and humanity, the show’s 42 poignant photographs include black and white landscapes, documentary images and portraits. Six of the 12 artists in the exhibition still live in the country, sharing personal experiences and observations from the past few years.
A statement said, “Resistance in Memory: Visions of Sudan Examines the memory of a changing Sudan, and the strength and resilience of its people who refuse to be forgotten or defined by those outside their country. “
The exhibition will run in New York until March 22. Find more information on the Africa Center’s website.
