Selam Weldemariam – Australia

Born 1974, Asmara, Eritrea

“Supreme Veil and Innocence” ” black & white and sepia photographs 2 X 8 cm X 10 cm (approx)

Occupation:

Freelance Photographer

Education:

1994 Westall Secondary College, Melbourne, Australia

1997 Bachelor of Visual Arts, Major: Photography, Charles Stuart University

2002 Holmesglen College of TAFE, Applied Design

Media:

Photography: studio and on location/dark room/professional camera

Experiences related to art:

Volunteer at Westall Secondary College as a student photography teacher

Group Exhibitions:

1994 Westall Secondary College

Red Hill Art Competition

Important collections:

Collected privately

Artists’ statement:

The photograph, “Supreme Veil” (Black and White), is of young model with a black veil and a strong facial expression. This image shows how powerful the veil is, “the perfect silencer” limiting women’s voices from Societies. Women in Veil are invisible and are excluded from society and Social politics, they only have power in their home. What makes women powerful is femininity. What makes this image powerful is how the model is not covered fully as if she wants to come out of the veil.

The second photograph, “Innocence” (Sepia), is a close up of the same young girl, who appears very peaceful and natural. This image is personal to me because I wanted to show how innocence is our paradise, once we lose innocence we have no faith and hope.

Once we lose innocence we tend to fall from grace and become corrupted spiritually, as well as mentally. As a photographer I wanted to create a photograph that is simple and leaves the audience thinking how powerful the image is. The model’s eyes are seeking Paradise.