Angèle Etoundi Essamba: A celebration of African womanhood
Angèle Etoundi Essamba is a Cameroonian-born photographer renowned for her compelling portraits that celebrate African women and challenge prevailing stereotypes. Born in 1962 in Douala, Cameroon, she moved to Paris at the age of 10, where she completed her secondary education. In 1982, she relocated to Amsterdam, Netherlands, to pursue her passion for photography at the Nederlandse Fotovakschool (Dutch School for Professional Photography), from which she graduated in 1984.
Essamba’s work is deeply rooted in humanist photography, focusing on themes of identity, pride, strength, and self-awareness among African women. Her portraits often depict women in regal poses with fearless gazes, aiming to break away from stereotypical representations of Africa and its people . By highlighting the cultural richness and diversity of the continent, she offers a new interpretation of contemporary Africa.
Essamba’s work is deeply rooted in humanist photography, focusing on themes of identity, pride, strength, and self-awareness among African women. Her portraits often depict women in regal poses with fearless gazes, aiming to break away from stereotypical representations of Africa and its people . By highlighting the cultural richness and diversity of the continent, she offers a new interpretation of contemporary Africa.
Angèle Etoundi Essamba continues to live and work in Amsterdam, using her photography to empower African women and promote a nuanced understanding of African identity and culture. Paris-based Galerie Carole Kvasnevski participates in the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in New York from 8 – 11 May 2025, and presents work from the series Renaissance by Angèle Etoundi Essamba.
