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African beauty: How photography changed my way of seeing

Thandiwe Muriu’s parents gave her life, love, and a 'must-do' list of experiences. One – learning to use a camera – would help her change the face of modern African portraiture.

Kenyan photographer and artist Thandiwe Muriu was born in the early 90s in a home full of life and love. But her parents also gave her a list – with experiences to complete ranging from changing a car tyre to learning to use the internet. Then one day, her dad brought out a digital camera and Thandiwe was spellbound. By studying the world through a lens, she started to see her Kenyan culture and community in new ways, which led to the artistic work Camo. Through melding traditional, patterned Ankara fabrics with everyday household items and a modern take on African portraiture, Thandiwe not only reflects on how she sees herself as an African woman but how the wider world perceives beauty.

Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya recently broke the world record for the longest-ever chess marathon, playing for a total of 60 consecutive hours. In honour of this achievement we look back at where it all began in a slum on the outskirts of Lagos, with an interview first broadcast on Outlook in September 2023.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

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41 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Tue 7 May 2024 11:06GMT
  • Tue 7 May 2024 17:06GMT
  • Tue 7 May 2024 21:06GMT
  • Wed 8 May 2024 02:06GMT

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