M. Courtney-Clarke

Over the river and through the woods provide no bounderies to the extremes Margaret Courtney-Clarke will travel to photograph the ancient crafts of women of the African continent whose use of rich materials, vibrant colors and lively designs distinguish the structures they live in.

Her bravery can be measured by what she treks through–vast landscapes, dry and rainy climates, road-less destinations–to photograph the cultural richness of her subjects. In these places, the women she respectfully documents bring treasure to their dwelling places as seen through Courtney-Clarke’s camera lenses. Through her eloquent pictures and portraits, Margaret captures the warmth and expressive colors of community and village womenfolk who mother their townships. These are the rare indigenous images Courtney-Clarke shares with the world outside of the communities she visits.

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This trailblazing photojournalist has changed the way we view and learn of African women’s architectural and interior design contributions to structures and homes. Their use of earthen materials, dyes, colors and design, validate and celebrate structures erected as a testament to the living legends of femininity and truth in landscapes, life and culture throughout the African continent.

Margaret’s childhood planted the seeds for her unique and confident perspective. This Namibian native of Irish and English ancestry explored the African cultural settings as a child when her parents served the League of Nations through humanitarian efforts in Africa. The Namibian landscape and the work of her parents made a great impression on her. Margaret expanded her view of maternal feminine perspectives into an underlying theme to communicate the often uncelebrated strength and cultures of Mother Humanity’s eldest child: Africa.

Her images cross the borders of African countries including Mauritania, Nigeria, South Africa, the Ivory Coast, Morocco and Mali. Courtney-Clarke’s works include African Canvas: The Art of West African Women, Cape Dutch Homesteads, Imazighen: The Vanishing Traditions of Berber Women and Places in the Sand, and Ndebele: The Art of An African Tribe.

Margaret continues to explore themes of women’s contributions to the colorful art of community and home throughout Africa as well as the Middle East, Asia, America as well as in Europe. Her prints are in a variety of noted publications including Town and Country magazine, U.S. News and World Report, and GEO to name a few. Her exhibitions have been in various museums throughout Europe and the United States. Margaret Courtney-Clarke resides in Italy and New York City.