A groundbreaking photography exhibition titled "Resistance in Memory: Visions of Sudan" is bringing much-needed international attention to Sudan's ongoing humanitarian crisis through the powerful lens of 12 emerging Sudanese photographers. The Africa Center in New York City is hosting this compelling group exhibition, which features 42 poignant photographs that document the realities of life in a nation torn apart by civil war and political upheaval.
Sudan's current crisis stems from a complex series of political events that began in 2019 when a revolution driven by deep-seated public discontent led to a coup that removed then-president Omar al-Bashir from power. The situation deteriorated further in 2021 when the military staged another coup to seize control of the government. The conflict reached its most devastating point in April 2023, when full-scale civil war erupted between two rival military factions vying for governmental control: the country's official armed forces and a paramilitary organization known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The ongoing warfare, which represents the culmination of decades of political tensions, has created what many observers are calling a "forgotten war." Despite the mounting casualties, millions of people living in famine-stricken regions, and nearly one-third of the country's population displaced from their homes, international media coverage has remained limited. TIME magazine correspondent Charlie Campbell, in an article featuring photographs by Moises Saman, specifically characterized the crisis as a "forgotten war" due to the lack of global attention it has received.
The exhibition serves a crucial role in documenting this underreported crisis, as photographers have become "our eyes on the ground in Sudan," providing essential glimpses into the realities of war, displacement, hunger, and hope in the war-torn nation. Information flow from Sudan is tightly controlled by authorities, and press freedom is heavily restricted, resulting in very limited insight into current events. However, the photographic images featured in this exhibition provide the crisis with much-needed visibility and human perspective.
The 42 photographs in "Resistance in Memory: Visions of Sudan" encompass a diverse range of artistic approaches, including black-and-white landscapes, documentary-style imagery, and intimate portraits. Six of the 12 photographers featured in the exhibition continue to live in Sudan, offering firsthand personal experiences and observations from the past several years of conflict. The collection reflects themes of compassion, love, joy, and humanity despite the challenging circumstances.
Featured works in the exhibition include Al Mujtaba Ahmed's "The Crown Among the Fire" (2024), Altayeb Morhal's "Absent Presence" (2022), Mohamed Zakaria's "The Handshake" (2022), and Mohamed Abuagla's "They Were Here" (2023). Additional notable pieces include Abdelsalam Abd Allah's "The Only Water Source" (2024), Marwan Mohamed's "Premature Caretaking" (2023), Jood Elsheikh's "Tata" (2023) from the War and Peace Series, Fakhr Aldein's "New Landscapes" (2023), and Shaima Merghani's "Holding Onto Dreams" (2024).
According to an official exhibition statement, "Resistance in Memory: Visions of Sudan examines the memory of an ever-changing Sudan and the strength and resilience of its people who refuse to be forgotten or defined by those beyond its borders." The exhibition represents a powerful act of cultural resistance, ensuring that Sudanese voices and experiences remain visible to the international community during this critical period.
The exhibition will continue through March 22 in New York City, providing visitors with an opportunity to engage with this important body of work. Additional information about the exhibition and The Africa Center's programming can be found on their official website. The show represents not only an artistic achievement but also a vital documentary record of one of the world's most underreported humanitarian crises.
