An African woman’s hair always tells a story. It contains our DNA and so it identifies us and tells the history of our forebears. How we choose to style our hair often tells a lot about our character, our status, our circumstances and our beliefs – whether we have an afro, braids, locks, weaves, or perms.

In these 2 images the hair is used as the narrator of the story of a particular location, the Aberdeen Bridge, as seen from the verandah of my home in Sierra Leone, and reflects the man-made downward spiral into poverty, decay and misery. The first image was taken in the early 2000s while the second image was taken in 2024.

Who is responsible? Where is our leadership? What has become of our State? Is it inherently corrupt or is it being corrupted by outside forces and interests? Is there hope for the future?