Malawi King - Sans titre England

William Malawi est né au Kenya et vit aux États-Unis en Pennsylvanie. Il découvre la photographie très jeune et se familiarise avec cet art tout en se forgeant un style et en empruntant du matériel à des amis. Dès qu’il peut acquérir son propre matériel, il approfondit son regard et la perception de son environnement en affirmant un style très personnel et coloré dans ses photos.
Pour William Malawi, le continent africain est magnifique et multiple dans sa diversité mais il reste encore un énorme vivier d’artistes qui ont beaucoup à donner, de nombreuses histoires à raconter. L’éducation doit être le tremplin d’un nouvel élan pour ces artistes qui doivent également pouvoir s’appuyer sur l’expérience d’autres artistes reconnus. En prenant de l’âge et de la notoriété il s’est promis d’encourager les jeunes artistes pour les guider, les aider à réaliser leurs expérimentations et leur donner une chance.
Although he does not consider himself a queer artist per se, his universe and approach are nourished by this culture. William Malawi refuses any compartmentalized society, differentiated according to race, origins, or sexual orientations. His work allows him to express deep thoughts, and his inspiration is fueled by his experiences throughout his life. For example, this misconception, which he opposes in our cultures, that boys do not cry. It is as absurd as it is unjust and often dramatic... everyone has feelings regardless of their identity or lifestyle. Denying an individual's sensitivity is for him an abomination.
His photos can evoke laughter, anger, or even confusion, but they remain a powerful link with his community. They blend humor and a touch of soul to establish a smoother connection and to move beyond mere appearances. For William Malawi, each human being cannot be limited by their gender, skin color, or other characteristics, and his photos aim to eliminate the barriers that divide individuals. In William Malawi's photographs, color dominates; it vibrates in service of a highly stylized staging. It is a dazzling symphony.
Partly stylist, accessory designer, and photographer, he scripts his works with a minimalist approach and subtle gestures that do not diminish the strength of the message. His characters are all presented frontally, facing a camera that captures every clothing detail and every bodily expression. Despite this, nothing is static, and in each of these full-length portraits, one perceives an attractivity that is simultaneously joyful, warm, and positive.
At 24 years old, this artist now based in Atlanta demonstrates exceptional maturity. Although self-taught and without prior references, he constructs a photographic universe where mockery does not differ from a sharp critique of our societies. Between the conformism of African societies and the American neo-conservatism showcased during the Trump era, there are few differences. His work denounces the number of young suicides caused by exacerbated puritanism and a cult of outdated masculinity in certain layers of society. Skillfully distorting codes and incorporating everyday objects and accessories into his photos, his photographic universe is a powerful indictment against false moralists. The choice of Afro-American models is all the more liberating as it is universal. It is a subtle nod to an Africa whose awakening passes through new perceptions of today's world.
Il ne fait aucun doute que Malawi King est l'une des grandes surprises de ces Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie d’Arles. C’est même pour ce jeune créateur une première mondiale grâce au soutien et à l’accompagnement de « Les Enfants Terribles - Paris » qui ont été les premiers à le découvrir ainsi qu’à la Galerie Art-Z qui montre une petite partie de son travail, également pour la première fois. Arles n’étant qu’une étape, et avant que son travail n’ait été exposé aux États-Unis, Paris s'honorera de célébrer l’ascension de ce jeune créateur hors pair.
Malawi King est représenté par "Les Enfants Terribles - Paris".