Hanna Leka is a first generation Ethiopian American and self-taught photographer currently based in Washington, DC. Her introduction to image making was in taking painting and drawing lessons for 7 years of her childhood in Orange County, California.
Image making later evolved from the canvas to the camera and with humans and her Ethiopian roots being at the center of her interests, conceptual work is where she has found herself most curious. She has done conceptual projects that explore revelations of beauty and explain the nuances of being an African diaspora.
She has now expanded her efforts towards documentary photography driven by her desire to continuously understand the world better and the people that live in it. With her growing fascination towards the Eastern world, Hanna aims to bridge gaps in her work and educate others on countries and communities that are misunderstood and underrepresented in Western media; Still considering herself to be an artist, she strives to have her art serve the unseen individuals that are made in the profound likeness of God.
In her work, Hanna is drawn to usage of color and how it provokes specific emotions. She prefers looking into a moment rather than at it, and goes in with the same mindset when it comes to a person. Integrity is of importance in her work, and wants to offer viewers a new story; a new revelation of what beauty is, who people are, and what a place really is.
Hanna is currently completing her masters in New Media Photojournalism at the Corcoran College of Arts and Sciences at The George Washington University.
Contact: hanniimages@gmail.com
Tel: +1(619)-565-4352