The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, a non-profit museum in downtown Tampa, held its first opening reception of the year last Thursday. Natural Fashion: Art and the Body features photographs by Hans Silvester and was welcomed to Tampa by an overwhelming crowd Thursday night.
Natural Fashion exhibits thirty-nine color photographs by the German-born photographer/journalist/philanthropist Hans Silvester. Accompanied by a driver, cook, and guide, Silvester takes month-long journeys into south Ethiopia and presents the magnificent beauty of the Suma and Mursi people through his photographs. Several times a day, members of the tribe will paint and decorate themselves and each other. With no mirrors, they rely on one another to create colorful works of art using their bodies as a canvas. While the mineral paint used consists of mostly earthy tones such as brown or deep reds, the use of plants, flowers, and fauna add bright colors and a flash of the dramatic. Looking at these photographs, Silvester reminds us of the simple beauty present in everything that nature gives us, such as the flowers or seed pods used as head dresses. Silverster’s work is displayed in all three galleries of the museum and the life size, vibrant images are so inviting to the viewer that it is almost as if we have traveled to Ethiopia to see this ancient tradition acted out in person. Through these life-sized portraits, Silvester reminds us that even far off from civilization, humans are still drawn to beauty and art.
FMoPA, often referred to as “one of Tampa’s best kept secrets,” was certainly no secret that night with almost 200 in attendance for Natural Fashion. Drinks and food were available, as well as a little entertainment in the form of two young ladies painted to resemble the Suma and Mursi tribes (shown on the left). Guests took pictures with the models, marveled at Silvester’s photographs, and even got the chance to chat with the photographer himself, who was also present. If you weren’t able to make it out to FMoPA last Thursday, not to worry- the exhibition will stay up through April 10. If you’re like me and you like your art with a little socializing, come to FMoPA this Thurs., February 17 for “Photography at 5.” This happy hour event will include music, beer, wine, and pizza selections provided by Pizza Fusion, a new downtown restaurant dedicated to healthy and environmentally friendly food. For more fun activities and events in relation to Natural Fashion, such as make-over days and facepainting, visit FMoPA’s website.
This article appears in Feb 10-16, 2011.