Aïda Muluneh
A Portrait of Us (2024)
These fifteen powerful portraits celebrate unsung local heroes from Bradford, Belfast, Cardiff and Glasgow. They pay tribute to the people who work quietly, but tirelessly, to make their part of the world a better place.
In a departure from Muluneh’s signature approach of working with primary colours and body painting, in A Portrait of Us the artist has chosen to photograph each individual in stark black and white. This straightforward approach allows the strength and dignity of each person to shine through.
Muluneh says “As I travelled by road through these cities, witnessing the changing landscapes and engaging with the people along the way, I saw how place and identity intersect in ways that are both subtle and profound… What stood out most however, were the portraits I captured of each city’s unsung heroes — individuals with a deep sense of purpose, striving for change not for personal glory, but for the betterment of their communities. Their presence reminded me that progress is often driven by those who act without the need for recognition.”
You can find out more about the people in each photograph by reading the Exhibition Guide available in the gallery.