Kibera, where I was born and raised, is a vast slum settlement located in Nairobi, Kenya. It is said to be home to between 350,000 and one million people, depending on who you ask. This has given rise to its reputation as “the largest slum in Africa.” Yet behind these vague statistics, Kibera has countless stories waiting to be told.
Seen from afar, the neighbourhood is a dense jungle of rundown corrugated rooftops, indistinguishable huts huddled closely together with TV antennas and electricity poles projecting into the air. While Kibera is hardly a continuous cycle of poverty and hardship, this has always been the dominant visual narrative. Within its endlessly sprawling and captivating landscapes, Kibera is a mix of diversity, vibrancy, and great capabilities.
This project presents life in Kibera from a socio-economic, cultural, political, and environmental point of view, as seen from an insider’s perspective. Through these images, we see and feel dynamic moments of everyday life, identity, and individuality, and the uniqueness of representation in moments always seen but often ignored or unnoticed.
Artist Bios
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Brian Otieno
Brian Otieno is deeply committed to sharing stories from his community and his country that rarely make it into the international news. Since 2013, Brian has dedicated his time and energy to bring to light the unseen side of his hometown of Kibera, which is often portrayed as a place of poverty, violence, and disease. Through his project Kibera Stories, he focuses his lenses on a broader spectrum of life where hope, resilience, ambition, and a sense of community prevail. Brian is committed to depolarizing and humanizing the traditional narrative that distorts how underprivileged communities are perceived and defined. He is a contributing photographer to Everyday Africa.
Organizations
Kibera Stories
Featuring: Brian Otieno
Curated by: James Estrin David Gonzalez
Locations
View Location Details Download a detailed map of this location Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
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