Photography
DROP ENDED
Ethiopia
Joey L
Joey L's Ethiopia is a monolithic collection made over the course of thirteen years. It is an ode to every region of the country and a celebration of all the unique peoples found within.
LAUNCH GALLERY VIEW
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The Artist
Joey Lawrence, more commonly known by his professional name, Joey L, is a Canadian professional photographer and director.
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The Story
My life will forever be intertwined with Ethiopia. In my teenage days, this country is where I first found my vision as a photographer. Later, Ethiopia would be where I found my home and my soul mate. ETHIOPIA is a monolithic collection of my images captured over the course of thirteen years. It is an ode to every region of the country and a celebration of all the unique peoples found within. These seemingly disconnected cultural threads are woven together in a cohesive visual style in order to truly see Ethiopia— which itself is the sum of all the diverse lands and theproud people who inhabit it.
The dignified vision found in the portraits is not to obscure other searing realities within Ethiopia, such as the wealth inequality and traumatic conflict spread across the country. It is to highlight the prestige I have always recognized here. This collection is about the timeless and pure things that have withstood the politics of the day, and to challenge the way the outside world can perceive this country. This is my tribute to the enduring Ethiopia.
Hollowed out tree trunks are hung in the highest branches for bees to build hives within. When the honeycombs are ready to be harvested, the Majang scale the trees at night, calm the bees with smoke, and harvest the raw honey. Majang, Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Location - Ethiopia Medium - digital capture Series - Ethiopia
Over 5000 variations of wild coffee naturally grow within the forests of Kafa. New species are still being discovered. Kafa, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region, Ethiopia. Location - Ethiopia Medium - digital capture Series - Ethiopia
Kafa is the birthplace of coffee. Before it was traded and grown all over the world, the first ancestor of all coffee traces its origin here. Kafa Mankera Forest, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region, Ethiopia. Location - Ethiopia Medium - digital capture Series - Ethiopia
