Hilina Abebe
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
About my work
Faith is a very strong form of expression in Ethiopia. It is almost ingrained in the identity of the society. I wanted to show that part of my reality, regarding faith and spirituality. I have made around six trips to Lalibela, one of the holiest sites in Ethiopia among the Orthodox, not always with the intention of photographing. But the spirituality of people, both of the people of Lalibela and those who come on foot, or by other modes of transportation from the different corners of the country on pilgrimage is the main reason in documenting this series.
Biography
Born and raised in Ethiopia, Hilina Abebe is a self-taught documentary photographer who is influenced by her father’s black and white family photographs he made in the ’60s and ’70s. Her work focuses on long-form documentary and portraiture; exploring inequality, identity, history, and the significance of memory. She combines her background in Journalism and Social Work to discuss issues in her storytelling.
Hilina is an Eddie Adams Workshop XXIX Alum. In 2016, she participated in the New York Times Portfolio Review and the World Press Photo East Africa Masterclass. She is also a Joop Swart and PDN's 30 nominee.
Hilina lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she wishes to continue documenting stories.
Contact
All images on this page are © by Hilina Abebe and not to be used, published or downloaded without permission