Mário Macilau

Some years ago, I started working with street children in Mozambique, spending time with them in order to gain a deeper understanding of their reality. The photographs do not necessarily aim to represent these children. Instead, my work attempts to give them a voice, a stage: to shine a light on their fleeting and fragile lives. These photographs offer the children a space of relief, whereby the children can compose them, play with their image and reflect on their own appearance.Considering that these children are engaged in child labor, we can say that they contribute to the functioning of our society. What is our role in this? How can we remedy their unfavorable situation?
(Mário Macilau)

Mário Macilau (b. 1984), was born and raised in Maputo, Mozambique, where he lives. He started his journey as photographer in 2003. and specializes in long term projects that focus on living and environmental conditions that affect socially isolated groups. Macilau’s work has been recognized with awards and featured regularly in numerous solo and group exhibitions in his home country and abroad including The Auction Room, London, Saatchi Gallery, London, Galeria Belo-Galsterer, Lisbon, The Johannesburg Art Fair, Bamako Biennial.