July Tale
A Photograph by Nourhan Maayouf
This is the 174th edition of Tender Photo, a newsletter on African photography.
Two figures are bound together by yellow wool threads that crisscross their bodies. The right figure holds knitting needles, interlocking loops of yarn that circle around both their bodies and extend to the hands of the left figure. They sit together on a brown-patterned sofa against a gray wall. The left person's arm rests on the right person's shoulder. To the right, a wedding band gleams on the ring finger. Their faces are concealed behind bandaged masks marked with black stitched lines—one mask bears markings around the mouth, another mask around the eyes. The yellow thread connects the anonymous presences, and its loops creates an ethereal intimacy between the figures—the promise of forever.
— Tony Agbapuonwu
“In my photographic work, I see myself as a poet, guided by symbolism, observation, and experimentation.”
I captured this portrait of my parents in 2015. My aim was to explore the complexity of relationships and the challenges of communication, while highlighting the attachment and family values of my parent’s generation. During that time, I enjoyed performing in front of the camera, using simple props around the house to stage scenes. I liked to focus on personal narratives, relying on natural light and my DSLR camera. I rearranged furniture, dressed up, and performed, with my parents sometimes, supporting me as models. I often obscured identities using face masks or by turning my back to the camera, directing attention to body language, action, and setting. In my photographic work, I see myself as a poet, guided by symbolism, observation, and experimentation.
I chose this photograph because it marks a turning point in my artistic journey. It is part of a three-photo series and it received the Absa L’Atelier Grand Award in 2016, which opened up significant opportunities—most notably, a six-month art residency in Paris. This experience drove me to explore new mediums such as video, installation, and publications. My work gradually expanded from personal expression toward a deeper engagement with collective narratives, public space, and socially engaged art.
This image makes me reflect on how my practice evolved—from an intuitive, experience-based approach rooted in personal storytelling to a more outward-looking engagement with contemporary social contexts. It’s also an opportunity to pause and consider how institutional recognition and market dynamics influence the paths of emerging artists, often shaping both the direction and visibility of their work.
— Nourhan Maayouf
About Nourhan Maayouf
Nourhan Maayouf is an Egyptian artist who works with photography, video, illustrations and installations. In 2022, she obtained her MA in Arts in Public Spheres, from the Valais school of art (EDHEA), in Switzerland. She has participated in many local and international group exhibitions including the 13th Bamako Biennale (2022), Cairo Video Festival (2019) and Addis Foto Festival (2018). In 2016, she won the Absa bank l’Atelier grand award in South Africa. She has participated in art residency programs at Cite internationale des Arts in Paris, France (2017) and a Prohelvetia supported art residency in Zurich, Switzerland (2019). See more of Nourhan Maayouf’s work on her website and instagram.
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The TENDER PHOTO newsletter is the flagship project of Tender Photos, a digital platform of African photography and visual storytelling, founded by Emmanuel Iduma and Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀. This edition is edited by Tony Agbapuonwu, one of our editorial fellows. Our aim is to engage with life on the African continent through photography. We publish narratives about the people, places, and events pictured in photographs, contributing to nuanced and layered perceptions. The newsletter also read on web (best for viewing images), and via the Substack iOS/Android apps.
Every Wednesday we feature a photograph, a short caption about it, and a statement from the photographer. In the past, we have published commentaries or photo-essays in response to photographs previously featured on the newsletter, including CORRESPONDENCES, CONCORDANCE, KINDRED, INDEX, and AFFINITIES.
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