https://www.markovergaard.art/eloquent-suri-portraits daily 0.75 2025-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709235741572-HF77I8RWIOWQU0QU6NRI/Suri-0TP2.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - The Eloquent Suri of Ethiopia: People, Art, Culture, Language This collection presents the Suri, a small but resilient group in southwestern Ethiopia. You’ll meet my portrait collaborators, including Ngaturɛ, who painted her face using local natural pigments, continuing a long Suri tradition. The collection also includes word stories created by Suri members of the project that produced the first Suri literacy teaching tools, starting in the early 2000s when the written language was defined. These word stories provide fascinating glimpses of Suri culture. The drawing here is from one of those word stories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709235741572-HF77I8RWIOWQU0QU6NRI/Suri-0TP2.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - The Eloquent Suri of Ethiopia: People, Art, Culture, Language This collection presents the Suri, a small but resilient group in southwestern Ethiopia. You’ll meet my portrait collaborators, including Ngaturɛ, who painted her face using local natural pigments, continuing a long Suri tradition. The collection also includes word stories created by Suri members of the project that produced the first Suri literacy teaching tools, starting in the early 2000s when the written language was defined. These word stories provide fascinating glimpses of Suri culture. The drawing here is from one of those word stories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709411286517-AQ1A2QGE9VCCCM9Z421Y/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - The Kibish and the Future The small Kibish River is a critical water source for nearby Suri. On the right bank at this point is a massive stone pier for a future bridge over the river. So far, there is no corresponding pier on the left bank and no comparably sized connecting road on either side of the river. But this pier is a harbinger of coming development encroachment challenges for the Suri people in this area. Ngamɔri, the Suri youngster crouched on top of the pier, will likely experience those challenges in her lifetime. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709235886193-WN1C2B8G5I7IX84QMO57/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngaturɛ, 2021 turɛ = a category of horn used in a key Suri ceremony. Cattle are integral to that ceremony and to Suri life overall, their most prized possession and the main repository of their wealth. Body painting is also a deeply held Suri tradition, but mainly for special occasions. Suri body art has various social functions, including attracting a partner. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709248209608-P63M6AYW7PZ0D4B7IT5M/Suri+2.0+print-1.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngamɔri, 2019 mɔri = pipe. Ngamɔri was born when her mother went to fetch water at a break in the pipeline carrying water to her village. Suri parents encourage their children, both boys and girls, to be independent and assertive. Parents don’t use physical punishments, like beatings, but instead emphasize verbal encouragements and reprimands. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391976704-WI8ZH7XOC3DNQH9GAIIN/mori+%3D+hose+v1.1.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - mɔri = hose One meaning of mɔri is hose. Some larger Suri villages with a nearby perennial water source, such as Kibish, have water delivered via pipeline, then distributed within the village for domestic and garden use. Suri author/artist: Gergere Siralugu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391998973-3I87AWWKFRDP1PLLSIFJ/mori+%7C+flute+%7C+horn.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - mɔri = flute | horn The word mɔri can also refer to tubular musical instruments, such as the flutes and horns referenced in this word story. Suri author/artists: Damini Gelu, Ngaidho Bebhala https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709246163106-6B65RSKMUGLXEGJS5VF0/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngakɛdhɛdhi, 2019 kɛdhɛdhi = wood ant. Wood ants are tiny and Ngakɛdhɛdhi was a tiny baby. In addition to face paint and decorated earlobe discs, Ngakɛdhɛdhi has adorned her head with the long-haired fur of a colobus monkey. Colobus monkey fur is a traditionally respected form of head dress for Suri. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391905498-4NFRAPKUD8JFRR17W012/karam+%7C+colobus+monkey.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - karam = colobus monkey Colobus monkeys are popular with the Suri; they’re easy to live with. Suri author/artist: Barkoginɛ Olrɛghɛ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391887922-VWYTK4WMJVU07PQQYDKV/kangay+%7C+baboon.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - kangay = baboon Baboons, on the other hand, are a hassle to live with; they’re always stealing. Suri author/artists: Gergere Siralugu, Bargoy Dhɔgani, Barlɛng Konggulugu, Barlolu Olechagi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709248623465-1DOEHCHZUG7BW8Z2UF2B/Suri+2.0+print-3.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Barkonen, 2021 konen = related by marriage, brother-in-law, for example. Barkonen also participated in the previous day’s saginɛ (ceremonial stick fight), using his prized dongga (wooden staff). Consistent with tradition, he painted his body with clay for the event. He started doing saginɛ when he was 12 years old. For every saginɛ, he gives necklaces to his girlfriend. It is important that she wears them at the saginɛ to show that they’re still a couple. Barkonen is not yet married; he’s still collecting the necessary cattle. The Suri bridewealth tradition requires that his family transfer several dozen cattle before a marriage can happen. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709239519893-0RBYE1N1E10ZOWBNUPWP/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Barmugur & Barhallo, 2019 mugur = darkness; hallo = hello on the phone. Suri young people who paint their bodies sometimes choose matched patterns to celebrate a friendship. Each Suri boy receives a favorite young bull and he is responsible for its care. He is often addressed by the name of the bull and invokes that name in battles and on ritual occasions. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709392062748-PV956SG57TXP6TMGN8CL/uro+%7C+milk.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - urɔ = milk Suri boys often have cattle-related responsibilities, as illustrated in this word story. Suri author/artist: Gergere Siralugu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709246287770-KUTIB7WN1PI7ZEMFIQM4/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngaturɛ, 2021 turɛ = a special category of horn, including that used in the kilonga, a ceremony honoring a family-chosen anniversary of a passed elder. The kilonga ceremony is an important occasion at which family and friends in the passed elder’s community bring their favorite bulls and pay their respects. Ngaturɛ was born during a kilonga ceremony. The role that cattle play in the consequential kilonga ceremony is further confirmation of how integral cattle are to Suri life. By tradition, Suri babies born during a kilonga are often named Ngaturɛ (for girls) or Barturɛ (for boys). Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709239667822-6GLA1VZTBMJHGZGI7DHH/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Barturɛ, 2021 turɛ = a special category of horn that includes a type used in the kilonga ceremony that honors a family-chosen anniversary of a passed elder. Family and friends in the passed elder’s community bring their favorite bulls (usually adorned) and pay their respects. Barturɛ was born during a kilonga ceremony. He is not married. He had a girlfriend, but her family asked for more cattle as bride-wealth than he could manage. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391532750-8D9074RZU3TRZW3BZVS6/ari+%7C+steer.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - ari = steer The owner of this steer has done elaborate adornments to demonstrate his affection. Most of the cattle brought to a kilonga ceremony would be extensively adorned, as well. Suri author/artist: Barlolu Olechagi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709239036714-1VZZX9KWOH1R238M5EI6/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngalulɛ, 2019 lulɛ = a coordinated pattern, such as stripes on a zebra. Ngalulɛ is a guest at a Suri wedding. For the Suri, a marriage is a multi-faceted alliance between the families of the bride and groom, culminating a lengthy negotiation between the two families, initiated by the prospective bride. The new bride will occupy her own hut, establish a separate domestic unit for herself and her children. A Suri husband spreads his time among the family units of his wives. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391854073-BQEDMTAARWL153ASOQ2V/gal+%7C+married+woman+necklace.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - gal = married woman's necklace Ngalulɛ’s portrait was made at a Suri wedding. As usual for married Suri women attending a wedding, she wore her gal for the event. Suri author/artist: Gergere Siralugu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1605996353191-8T1WB6M1QMN0TMXLAAGY/Suri-0TP.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Introduction This series of cultural portraits presents the Suri, a small but resilient agropastoralist people in remote southwestern Ethiopia. You’ll meet my portrait collaborators, including Ngaturɛ here, who created her body adornments using local natural materials, continuing a long-standing Suri tradition. This Suri-drawn family scene is one of many that illustrate the Suri culture in primers and alphabet posters for the written Suri language. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709413502057-KEVT04N4NXDG9LGAAZWC/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-4.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Painted and Painter Barhallo, already painted, is preparing to add paint to the face of Barsu, standing in the shallow Kibish River to his right. Pigments are brought to the river as soft rock or clay: a specific type for each desired color. At the river, pigment material is crushed and mixed with water, then applied. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709394227198-HDMTK1GGSXEIBSU4DA0G/Suri+2.0+print-8.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngasedhey, 2019 sedhey = girl; there were many young girls in the village when Ngasedhey was born. When asked her age in 2021, she jokingly replied “200 years!”. Like Ngalulɛ, another elder Suri woman, Nga-sedhey had comments on non-traditional aspects of some of the adornments in my 2019 portraits. She expressed particular concern about the woven wreath that Ngakɔshi was holding in front of her face. During our 2023 visit to Kibish, we had a smaller version of the 2nd generation exhibit hung among some trees in our camp. One of the Suri visitors to the exhibit was a daughter of Ngasedhey, who conveyed the sad news that her mother had recently passed away. The daughter was strongly moved by her mother’s portrait. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391834097-CK0UJ0LJ674MYNVZ22WV/doldhu+%7C+pipe.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - doldhu = pipe Smoking pipes made locally from garden-grown gourds (often decorated) can be an enjoyable communal activity. Suri author/artist: Barlɛng Konggulugu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709248719300-AF5K8VZZ41ETBU8UB39W/Suri+2.0+print-9.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Burbur, 2021 burbur = helicopter. Burbur’s dongga (wooden staff) is the crucial weapon in a saginɛ (ceremonial stickfight). Saginɛ is very important to him. He’s a good fighter and has over 50 saginɛ wounds. A Suri young man’s dongga is a multi-purpose tool, useful in cattle herding, for instance, but also as a personal statement, for example to impress a girlfriend. Like many saginɛ participants, Burbur painted his body with clay for the prior day’s event. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709246678654-SVJQRY2ZCNI38M55E75M/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngabaku, 2019 baku = open air. Suri spend most of their waking hours in open air. Ngabaku participated in courses taught in Suri and found them helpful, “because they were taught in my own language.” Also, there were incentives to take Suri classes, such as pen and pencil, exercise books; those were valuable, also. When asked how she feels about being Suri; Ngabaku said: “Being Suri is happiness and delight!” Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391871657-0JFP4J9D8UZRSO8O8P3M/ghinyani+%7C+mountain+fig+tree.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - ghinyani = mountain fig tree Mountain fig trees provide numerous benefits to the Suri, including those summarized in this illustrated story. Suri author/artist: Bargoy Dhɔgani https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709413503760-4081I22HWQ862UAN1R4D/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-5.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Golden Hour Tegay I For Suri men and boys, the painting tradition is a whole-body one. A group of young men has just finished a body painting session at the Kibish River. They share their results in golden hour sunlight. Many of them would join the next day in a saginɛ (ceremonial stick fight), where most participants have painted bodies. These Suri young men are in the tegay age set. Body painting for Suri young men can be health- or hygiene-motivated, also. For instance, someone who is away from water in a remote camp and unable to bathe may cover his body with clay and then rub it off with a corn cob to clean. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709413505860-9VR7TZNUXDD59UQDEOGG/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-6.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Golden Hour Tegay II Suri young men in the tegay age set have just completed a session of body painting at the Kibish River. They pause on the bank with the verdant landscape and distant mountains of Suri country in the background. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1595545744183-Z8C90UCF9KVZ5R15JZ10/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngaturɛ Turɛ: a horn used to call cows. Cattle are integral to Suri life, their most prized possession and the main repository of their wealth. Body painting is also a deeply held Suri tradition, but mainly for special occasions. Suri body art has various social functions, including attracting a partner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709247133361-Z8GWB8OER9O0TAH7MHVW/Suri+2.0+print-11.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngagu, 2019 gu = garden. Ngagu was born in the garden behind her family hut. Suri women maintain small gardens next to their family hut, where they grow vegetables, as well as gourds for use as containers. Ngagu has taken courses in Suri and believes they helped her to learn more effectively. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709392016310-D68QN69RF88UC0K8CTJN/nyimo+%7C+sunflowers.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - nyimo = sunflowers Here we learn some vegetable recipe preferences of a woman named Ngakonɛn. Suri author/artist: Gergere Siralugu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709236243707-NZFGY6G064ARN5CPEETH/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngadukuwa, 2019 dukuwa = umbrella. However, in Ngadukuwa’s case, the important meaning of the word is a cattle color: a particular shade of white. Ngadukuwa received her name when she got married, to honor both her and her husband. Dukuwa is both the name and the color of her husband’s favorite bull. She wears her lip plate for special occasions like weddings and when serving her husband food and drink, because it shows respect. However, she has some regret that she adopted the lip plate tradition as a young girl, because the current generation doesn’t do lip plates. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709249231075-5VQA4RRM9XLG5H9ZBMV0/Suri+2.0+print-13.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngabiri, 2019 biri = Ethiopian unit of currency, the birr. In my 2021 exhibit and book, I identified Ngabiri as a man named Ngachurta, noting that it’s unusual for a man’s name to have the “Nga” prefix. This mis-identification started when I didn’t get names for my Suri portrait collaborators as I was making the portraits in 2019. I had to scramble (during the pandemic in 2020!) to get their names long distance. Our lead Ethiopian guide helped by transferring thumbnail images to the local Suri guide, who showed them on his phone to ask for names. This awkward process mostly worked, but not always. Lesson: if you care about collaborator names (and you should!) learn them at portrait creation! Kibish, Ethiopia. 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709413507185-ILJOUCQBRYA3K87AR5OE/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-7.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Reconnecting in the Classroom Ngaidho works informally with students in government school classroom. She taught for 10 years with the Suri Literacy Project (SLP), mostly with adult women students. After almost two years of closed schools, teachers and students were enthusiastic about reconnecting in a classroom setting. The SLP ended in mid-2021, leaving Ngaidho unemployed and her adult students with worries and questions about their and their families’ educational futures. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709413508228-F9F26S7C5SCKMPVHCX3C/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-8.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - I Know! I Know! When we interviewed her, Ngaguyɔ (in the foreground, clearly an enthusiastic student) told us that she aims to become a doctor. She also said that she enjoyed participating in Suri literacy classes. She found it helpful to learn in Suri because it is her mother tongue. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709413501446-L9AS1XNUYCNTEVZO6AHY/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-3.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Plant Stem as Brush During a session at the river, Ngaguyɔ is applying face paint. Each color of Suri body paint is made from a specific type of rock or clay, crushed and mixed with water. Ngaguyɔ’s “brush” for this part of her design is the stem of a plant. She’s also using a small mirror in her left hand for guidance. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709247018348-LL470JAEDWP659JN033R/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngaguyɔ, 2021 guyɔ = rain. It was raining when Ngaguyɔ was born. Lower elevation Suri lands are semi-arid, so any rain that falls is highly valued. Severe droughts have resulted in substantial losses of life. Rain in Suri territory is seasonal, but unpredictable, especially in the semi-arid lowlands. Nevertheless, the landscape near a perennial river like the Kibish can be lush. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391963267-N231P75DM4GPRA68MX3D/ma+%7C+water.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - ma = water Even when a river bed appears to be dry, there may be a way to get water. Suri author/artist: Bargaw Olekibo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709236130551-CSEPEKJLHGJ9X54HWG56/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngabarari, 2021 barari = powerful. When Ngabarari was born, there was much drinking of strong local beer going on. I previously defined “barari” as “spiritually powerful” (perhaps because my main definition advisor was a Bible translator!). Given Ngabarari’s actual name story, I’ve dropped the “spiritual” in this case. Ngabarari went to school, but did not attend classes in Suri, though she believes they’re a good thing. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391789195-PNP00SSU0L9ROYGWRFVV/bi+%7C+cow.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - bi = cow This word story centers around a young girl named Ngabarari and how her brother sought to make her more comfortable in the presence of cows. Suri author/artist: Bargoy Dhɔgani https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709246860751-8YVUR7XXH52GWUJ7M3EH/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngaguyɔ B, 2019 guyɔ = rain. It was rainy when Ngaguyɔ B was born. Various traditional Suri activities typically happen after the seasonal rains, when food is usually more plentiful. For instance, that’s often when discussions of potential marriage alliances begin. Earlobe discs are a strong Suri tradition, sometimes decorated and frequently worn on an everyday basis. These discs are losing some popularity among young Suri women, but not as much as lip plates. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709413498909-987QHNTB4CSZGMXQBKHD/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-2.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Friendly Trim The typical first step for Suri face painting is a trim along the hairline with a razor blade. Ngakɔshi’s friend Ngadidi is doing that trim. Ngakɔshi’s son was born after my 2019 visit and therefore during the pandemic. His name is Barcorona (!). Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709237075886-NZ4E87JF15CM44S9XOYE/Suri-10.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngakɔshi, 2021 kɔshi = forest. Around the time of her birth, Ngakɔshi’s father was clearing forest for a new field; her mother took him food and that’s when Ngakɔshi was born. Suri territory is mostly savannah, with foothills and some hills. Some areas in the higher elevations are forested. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391920043-YX28C8HAIB1JFUMZINNR/kejhoga+%7C+beauty+scarring.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - kejhoga = beauty scarring Many Suri create scars on their bodies to enhance their beauty and attract partners. During our 2021 visit, Ngakɔshi had a beauty scar added to her left arm as well, in anticipation of the following day’s gathering for a ceremonial stick fight. Suri author/artist: Barlɛng Konggulugu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709248355299-GEGRCTUA298OVWJD0JW6/Suri+2.0+print-18.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Arsibhala, 2021 arsibhala = black bulls that have a white stripe. He was given that name in honor of a relative. A respected Suri elder, Arsibhala is also among the richest local Suri in terms of cattle ownership (the traditional Suri measure of wealth). Arsibhala strongly supports mother tongue education among the Suri. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709248541700-SOT0V4FSUP4JQHGCOL94/Suri+2.0+print-19.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngatutugi, 2019 tutugi = path leading into and out of a family hut. Ngatutugi was born on that path outside her mother’s hut when her mother had gone out for other reasons. Arsibhala is her father. The rifle she’s carrying belongs to her brother. She’s only fired it once: a traditional ten shots into the air to celebrate a new boyfriend. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709239580885-H0ODBHFODZMF1AGQDJSX/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Ngaluguru & Ngaguru, 2019 luguru = second harvest; guru = deserted, as in a house or area. These girlfriends are at a government-run village school, with a chalkboard in the background. Elsewhere on the chalkboard is a sketch of a lion, with a hand-written note in English: “This is a lion. It has four legs.” Kibish, Ethiopia, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709391944370-B3S5AWEZUEEAWJY8P1YC/liwa+%7C+sorghum.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - liwa = sorghum A woman named Ngaluguru appreciates the support of other women as she deals with challenges in harvesting her sorghum. Suri author/artist: Bargaw Olekibo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709413511500-DHUIBNQFFH8IMZ2W52MH/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-9.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - On Guard togonagasi = old goat. Togonagasi, in the foreground, got that name when he bought an old goat at a market one time and the name stuck. This is one of his many cattle camps. A respected elder, he is among the wealthiest of the local Suri. I never saw Togonagasi unarmed. Cattle raids (sometimes violent) are a constant threat – often by neighboring ethnic groups such as the one called Bume by the Suri. Togonagasi believes that education in the Suri mother tongue is a big step forward and that it helps Suri students learn more effectively. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709413511501-E7N6IIWUSYT1OJ46IM60/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-10.jpg Cultural Portraits, Plus - Blood Draw At remote Suri cattle camps, blood drawn from cattle can be an important source of protein. Cattle camp boys are helping Barkonen (in the rear) with the process. The blood draw starts with shooting a special arrow into a vein in a cow’s neck. The resulting stream of blood is collected in a gourd. When sufficient blood has been drawn, Barkonen will cover the wound with the shaped poultice of cow dung that he is holding. Kibish, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1743080689035-IISQM9AWTIN5W5JR6JLV/image-asset.jpeg Cultural Portraits, Plus https://www.markovergaard.art/hindu-reverence-portraits daily 0.75 2021-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1610064559678-8BJ3KAB4REVUN8HL2FNG/Hindu+Reverence+intro.jpg Cultural Portraits - Envisioning Hindu Reverence These scenes of Hindu reverence in northern India highlight two Hindu deities. Ganga personifies the Ganges River, which is holy water for Hindus. Sadhus bath in her blessed waters and millions of devotees revel in a daily spiritual cleansing. Krishna, revered for compassion, love and playfulness, is the focus of the Holi festival. The festival is both intensely reverent for many participants and a riot of celebratory fun, as devotees throw and rub multi-toned powders and liquids on themselves and one another. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1610064559678-8BJ3KAB4REVUN8HL2FNG/Hindu+Reverence+intro.jpg Cultural Portraits - Envisioning Hindu Reverence These scenes of Hindu reverence in northern India highlight two Hindu deities. Ganga personifies the Ganges River, which is holy water for Hindus. Sadhus bath in her blessed waters and millions of devotees revel in a daily spiritual cleansing. Krishna, revered for compassion, love and playfulness, is the focus of the Holi festival. The festival is both intensely reverent for many participants and a riot of celebratory fun, as devotees throw and rub multi-toned powders and liquids on themselves and one another. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613174846917-ZA8RDO00YL7D3NC3CM6V/Hindu_Reverence-01.jpg Cultural Portraits - Varanasi Sunrise A young priest completes the salutation to the dawn as the sun rises along the Ganga. Varanasi is also knows as Kashi, the City of Light. It is especially sacred to the god Shiva. Among the holiest of India's holy cities, Varanasi draws Hindu pilgrims by the millions. Many come to the city as their life draws to a close with the earnest wish that their ashes be scattered in the river. Varanasi, India, 2015. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315062777-GOPRBCXFNS0MI258EB0V/Hindu-2.jpg Cultural Portraits - Sunrise Sadhu Many Sadhus wear their hair in long dreadlocks as an expression of the vows they have taken dedicating themselves to the divine. Saluting the dawn through a ritual bath in the river is a key religious duty observed by many Hindus. Haridwar, India, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315118275-ZYNTRVVQ89UA4OQMU634/Hindu-3.jpg Cultural Portraits - Soul Searching The powerful direct gaze of a sadhu. This one has come to one of the holiest cities on the Ganga to celebrate Kumbh Mela, the largest pilgrimage on earth, which is observed on a three year cycle in one of four riverside locations in northern India, two of them on the Ganga. The largest gatherings are roughly every twelve years at each location. Haridwar, India, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315154395-A24ASVG025Z6CJ7SH9Y7/Hindu-4.jpg Cultural Portraits - Holy Waterfall A young sadhu revels in a cleansing mountain waterfall of a Ganga tributary. For Hindus, Mother Ganga’s flow can wash away sins, as well. Rishikesh, India, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315181348-FHCBZ3HPVZCV6VXI5AK0/Hindu-5.jpg Cultural Portraits - Ash and Mala Freshly bathed in the Ganga, this sadhu has applied holy ash to his body and donned mala (prayer beads) made of rudraksha seeds. The name of these seeds means “tears of Shiva.” Haridwar, India, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315209386-FK8M0XF00E633KP4RY9X/Hindu-6.jpg Cultural Portraits - Mala and Mantra A sadhu’s hand, dusted with ashes from his dhuni (sacred fire), uses a rudraksha mala to count the repetitions of a mantra. The four-armed figure on the sadhu’s ring represents the deity Vishnu. Haridwar, India, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315234357-V5RDCLRM5VDGMW3DI6D6/Hindu-7.jpg Cultural Portraits - Ritual Bath This pilgrim has shaved his head in preparation for his bath in Mother Ganga. The powerful and swiftly moving river has been diverted here to form a somewhat protected bathing area. Nevertheless, metal fencing helps protect bathers from being swept away. Haridwar, India, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315266171-ONP077FIOV6EVJGYU3UD/Hindu-8.jpg Cultural Portraits - Mother Ganga's Blessing An elderly woman, supported by her companions (likely a son and daughters), celebrates the spiritual cleansing of Mother Ganga, possibly the realization of a life-long dream for her. Haridwar, India, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315291677-8EEH8ZNV3IYGX4VVO4T8/Hindu-9.jpg Cultural Portraits - Holi Powder, Temple Light Within this temple dedicated to Krishna, Holi powders linger in the air, coating devotees and other surfaces. Holi is celebrated all over India, but with special passion in this area, where Krishna was born and spent his youth. Vrindavan, India, 2015. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315315905-T10BOLVQAKNYRLJ7V1KS/Hindu-10.jpg Cultural Portraits - Reverence and Powder These devotees have temple hubbub all around them and are covered in Holi powders and paints. Nevertheless, they have a spiritual focus. Vrindavan, India, 2015. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315378866-MKNSGO0ON6ULANDXU03V/Hindu-13.jpg Cultural Portraits - Revering Krishna A devout Holi celebrant awaits entrance into a temple dedicated to Krishna. Vrindavan, India, 2015. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315402089-30FI5UNPAPKTX1D1C4ZM/Hindu-11.jpg Cultural Portraits - Powdered, Painted, Pensive Though coated with powder and daubed with paint, these Holi celebrants have found pensive reverence. Vrindavan, India, 2015. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315427133-AQFR888ZQEOD9XK5XR2T/Hindu-12.jpg Cultural Portraits - Proud Mother, Marked Child A mother watches fondly as her child’s forehead is stenciled with “Radha, Radha,” a tribute to Krishna’s love partner Radha, a widely-revered Hindu deity in her own right. They are participating in a local pre-Holi festival called Lathmar Holi. Barsana, India, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315459838-EFDC543VC3R5BAFAWMFF/Hindu-14.jpg Cultural Portraits - Holi Fervor Devotees celebrate Lathmar Holi in the home town of Radha, Krishna’s beloved. Barsana, India, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608315484184-360OW8MIL9Y2LTCM0RUX/Hindu-15.jpg Cultural Portraits - Faith in Motion The pedestal holds a small metal sculpture of a cow and calf, which are sacred for Hindus. In this extended exposure, Holi celebrants are paying respect and touching the pedestal for a blessing. Vrindavan, 2015. https://www.markovergaard.art/home-gallery daily 0.75 2020-09-14 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/t/5f5fe366c0043f79335042a6/1600118977269/ Home Gallery Page https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/5f5fe088cbb519520605d0d5/5f5fe0c168294015ec641dbc/1600118977269/ Home Gallery Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1600119007968-O9805LIOI3XZH6FZ4FZ0/image-asset.jpeg Home Gallery Page - Ngaturɛ In SURI PEOPLE & BODY ART. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1600119307020-CE2C118KS7N1XFILG4NW/Suri_Body_Art-3.jpg Home Gallery Page - Ngalusa In SURI PEOPLE & BODY ART. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1600119430203-86UM9893F4P6BYD9HJ3H/Suri_Body_Art-15.jpg Home Gallery Page - Ngagu In SURI PEOPLE & BODY ART. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1600119554669-DNM8EB29A7INXR3L52YF/Suri_Body_Art-20.jpg Home Gallery Page - Ngagɔnggay In SURI PEOPLE & BODY ART. https://www.markovergaard.art/fragile-nature-scapes daily 0.75 2021-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1620161363265-O561N96ZUBNLP8DKJX7S/Fragile+Nature+intro+5.jpg Naturescapes - Envisioning a Fragile Natural World This series of naturescapes takes you to sites of fragile natural beauty on six continents, including: deep in the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon; within the Arctic Circle and on the Antarctic Peninsula; to the massive Iguazu Falls between Argentina and Brazil; and high above Kenya’s soda-infused Lake Magadi, which can draw enormous flocks of flamingos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1620161363265-O561N96ZUBNLP8DKJX7S/Fragile+Nature+intro+5.jpg Naturescapes - Envisioning a Fragile Natural World This series of naturescapes takes you to sites of fragile natural beauty on six continents, including: deep in the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon; within the Arctic Circle and on the Antarctic Peninsula; to the massive Iguazu Falls between Argentina and Brazil; and high above Kenya’s soda-infused Lake Magadi, which can draw enormous flocks of flamingos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1611154103425-NSJONRSQRCF32K8B02H8/Fragile+Nature+intro+4.jpg Naturescapes - Envisioning a Fragile Natural World This series of naturescapes takes you to sites of fragile natural beauty on six continents, including: within the Arctic Circle and on the Antarctic Peninsula; deep into the splendor of the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon; the massive Iguazu Falls between Argentina and Brazil; and high above Kenya’s soda-infused Lake Magadi, which can draw enormous flocks of flamingos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904528901-WQTGZIRO8ELA3TNF9KT9/Grand+Canyon-1.jpg Naturescapes - North Canyon Sculpture Erosion of Supai sandstone has carved swirling patterns around this North Canyon pool, a popular (and cool) hiking destination for river runners, less than a mile from the river. Grand Canyon National Park – River Mile (RM) 21, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904554920-UYRX5E5BWGRI9W5HTR4Z/Grand+Canyon-2.jpg Naturescapes - North Canyon Abstract Broken layers of Supai sandstone form an abstract wall segment in North Canyon, a popular hiking break for river runners, who often camp where it meets the Colorado, just below House Rapid, the first major rapid. Grand Canyon National Park – RM 21, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904568862-AQ2Y12TXF2TATONRFL1O/Grand+Canyon-9.jpg Naturescapes - North Canyon Camp A view from the campsite, looking across rapids created by North Canyon debris flows. Grand Canyon National Park – RM 21, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904611135-QH572964R8O1GCQXLEUX/Grand+Canyon-3.jpg Naturescapes - Nankoweap Vista A late afternoon view down the Colorado River from the Nankoweap Granaries trail. High in the canyon walls to the right and behind us, at about 1100 AD, ancestral Puebloans cut caves into the cliffs. They hauled grain (including pumpkin seeds and corn) from the river delta below to those caves for storage. Grand Canyon National Park — RM 53, United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619905108027-TS6C4FMQZ1GW2Z2Z1STO/Grand+Canyon-5.jpg Naturescapes - Sacred Confluence The confluence of the Little Colorado River with the Colorado is a sacred place for Native peoples. For the Hopi, it is where life began. For the Navajo, is a place to share their prayers, the overall Little Colorado drainage their current home. Early morning light adds reverence to the scene. Grand Canyon National Park — RM 61.5, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904642207-GIS6B3T3N16DOMW2IS4L/Grand+Canyon-10.jpg Naturescapes - Sacred Confluence II A brilliant turquoise-blue color enters the Little Colorado at Blue Spring, about 13 miles above the confluence, with suspended calcium carbonate minerals. The confluence area is threatened with development. One decade-long campaign to build a 420-acre resort hotel at a nearby canyon rim site, with an elevated tramway carrying up to 10,000 visitors a day to the confluence area, was finally ended by decisive votes of the Navajo Nation in 2017 and 2018. Grand Canyon National Park – RM 61.5, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904610866-7IA83ZMDBVMX38RA0ZI3/Grand+Canyon-4.jpg Naturescapes - Little Colorado Afternoon Despite the beauty and sacred inheritance of the confluence area, development proposals keep coming. One newly proposed project would create a large hydro-electric power complex in the area, with multiple dams and a large power generation facility. Grand Canyon National Park – RM 61.5, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904673807-BGIE64A5CFDEJOY09686/Grand+Canyon-11.jpg Naturescapes - Unkar Delta Overlook The expansive view from the overlook includes the large delta deposited by Unkar Creek, wrapped by a hairpin curve of the Colorado. The delta was inhabited by ancestral Puebloans; rectangular outlines of rock identify locations of their dwellings. Grand Canyon National Park – RM 71.5, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904734596-YX11DORMFMKSYAM06ZF2/Grand+Canyon-6.jpg Naturescapes - Elves' Chasm This lovely shaded grotto is popular as a swimming hole during hot summer days after a hike up from the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park — RM 117, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904734599-OH17E5CRJFS3O7G83FCC/Grand+Canyon-7.jpg Naturescapes - Conquistador Aisle Sunrise More than 1,000 feet below the rim, the river is still shrouded by massive cliffs of redwall limestone in this view from Blacktail Canyon. The name of this stretch of the river was intended to honor Spanish explorers of the South Rim, but it’s not clear that any of the specific honored men were conquistadors. Grand Canyon National Park – RM 120.5, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904778530-BMIG5INE5FEUDCQI7FTD/Grand+Canyon-13.jpg Naturescapes - Deer Creek Vantage Point Deer Creek meets the Colorado in a 150-foot waterfall. Viewed from well above the top of that waterfall, the green river stretches downstream. Grand Canyon National Park – RM 137, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904797619-UYKN65I25IEA75QZQV51/Grand+Canyon-8.jpg Naturescapes - Deer Creek Patio Puzzle Upstream from its 150-foot fall to join the Colorado, Deer Creek has formed a verdant patio, reached by a challenging climb up from the river. The patio walls abound with rock puzzles like this one. Grand Canyon National Park – RM 137, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1619904808649-GQLXYPI9AHYNOUQTTLZS/Grand+Canyon-12.jpg Naturescapes - Three Springs Canyon Three Springs Canyon is viewed here from the final campsite on this trip, across minor rapids of the same name. Grand Canyon National Park – RM 216, United States, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170120687-GYEZE1TFBCJ5D67D507L/Nat_World-25.jpg Naturescapes - Sunrise Sandhills Sandhill cranes migrate to this central New Mexico area for the late October to late January winter. Historically, they came for seasonal wetlands created by the Rio Grande River. Those wetlands are gone now, with dams and other drastic changes in the river. Wildlife refuge staff, in cooperation with local farmers, use river water to recreate in agricultural fields the key benefits of the wetlands for large flocks of migrating cranes, geese and ducks. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, United States, 2012. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1607105885591-EDL0MDA5ELZLH4IPOO5B/image-asset.jpeg Naturescapes - Serengeti Icon Acacia trees are silhouetted by a sunset. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, 2014. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170193457-DOO58WIB2LRJMWN63MZ5/Nat_World-22.jpg Naturescapes - Towers of Grace A pair of Masai giraffes feeding, with towering yellow-barked acacia trees in the background. Tower is the collective noun for a group of giraffes. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, 2014. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170276466-1TMG21STMP0ESH612U95/Nat_World-15.jpg Naturescapes - Lion Alert! A cheetah mother and her five cubs monitor the plains for lions, a dangerous cheetah predator, especially for the cubs. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, 2012. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170330544-OEW13VFEC7R1E8S6X25F/Nat_World-4.jpg Naturescapes - Mara Silhouettes Towering September evening clouds and Mara wildlife on the horizon provide the backdrop for this solitary green thorn tree. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170391231-0SFV64EKADQLBOMVIGND/Nat_World-17.jpg Naturescapes - Crocodile Alert! Migrating zebras at the edge of the Mara River prepare to cross, wary of the crocodiles that may be hidden in the water. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, 2012. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170430881-8KVNSU8D2U4IXRF0NHE4/Nat_World-19.jpg Naturescapes - Topi Tapestry A solitary topi scans the nearby Mara from a ridge during sunrise. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170524334-A1S7COTOH8XU8CQGIWY1/Nat_World-21.jpg Naturescapes - Headed for Hunting Class A lioness and her cubs traverse the Mara, quite likely headed out for an early evening hunt. Additional members of the pride lounge in the background. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170572818-0DCR4GQZGLS0VYEIDHV6/Nat_World-16.jpg Naturescapes - Green Season Elephant In the Makuleke region, the northernmost in Kruger, this elephant is coated with red dirt, contrasting beautifully with the new foliage during this late November green season. Kruger National Park, South Africa, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1607103082776-A5P8B4O0711XY93NWHF1/Nat_World-5.jpg Naturescapes - Magadi Flamboyance Lake Magadi, the southernmost of Kenya’s soda lakes, can draw enormous flocks of flamingos. The vistas during a doors-off helicopter flight over the lake were simply awesome. Flamboyance is a collective noun for flamingos. South Rift Valley, Kenya, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170663462-BLKYMHMURY7ISEOUO16E/Nat_World-20.jpg Naturescapes - Magadi Squadron A flock of white pelicans rests on the colorful shores of Lake Magadi. Squadron is a collective noun for pelicans. South Rift Valley, Kenya, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170703103-IMQC7GP4CPPP8H632KMN/Nat_World-14.jpg Naturescapes - Amboseli Sunset A solitary giraffe traverses a dry and dusty lake bed (or “pan”) at sunset. Amboseli National Park, Kenya, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170772816-FGRE0YRQR7L2LDEDFTV7/Nat_World-28.jpg Naturescapes - Ha Long Dawn Ha Long (descending dragon) Bay features thousands of limestone karsts, islands and islets. According to local legend, ancient Vietnam had to fight against invaders. The gods sent a family of dragons as protectors and those dragons spit jewels, which became islands, blocking the invaders. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, 2014. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170804089-W66PGXY5AUP6EH3JBEZA/Nat_World-6.jpg Naturescapes - Setsuri Awakening Red-crowned cranes roost overnight in the river because the water is warmer than the air and because they can more easily detect predators coming through the water. Here the cranes start to stir. A rare combination of temperature and moisture level in the air produces hoar frost on the shoreline trees. Setsuri River, Tsurui, Hokkaido, Japan, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1607103119775-T6IGXXH4OU82QA86WEVN/Nat_World-7.jpg Naturescapes - Leon Dormido Evening A sunset view of the remains of a lava cone that split in two over the years. The slot between the two is wide enough for tour boats to pass through. San Cristobal Island, Galapagos, Ecuador, 2015. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1607105403560-GTTGFHNWAT603RJL1UXH/Nat_World-8.jpg Naturescapes - Devil’s Throat Roughly half of the Iguazu River flows occur through this part of this massive waterfall complex on the border between Argentina and Brazil. Iquazu Falls, Argentina, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1607105522337-9EZV9EQ3RVTZI6LJKWXR/Nat_World-12.jpg Naturescapes - Bautaen Reflection Sparse drift ice contributes to an abstract view of the Bautaen peak. Hornsund Fjord, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170859632-0JAFKOSU1QGDITKBHQ76/Nat_World-9.jpg Naturescapes - Ethereal Fluglefjorden II Submerged ice glows beneath the surface of the Fuglefjorden during a Svalbard zodiac cruise. Since 1971, the average Svalbard temperature has increased by about 7°F. The corresponding rise for winter temperatures is over 12°F. Fuglefjorden, Svalbard Archipelago, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1607105554454-1DAJJZ9YTGMVFHZKS04J/Nat_World-13.jpg Naturescapes - Arctic Ice Puzzle Cracked drift ice creates a pattern of interlocking puzzle pieces. Hornsund Fjord, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170893691-YSVY9T7Q0BQIB8US8ZWV/Nat_World-24.jpg Naturescapes - Soaring Sculpture Near Velkomstpynten (welcome point), off Reinsdyrflya (reindeer plain) in the northwest corner of Spitsbergen Island, a northern fulmar traverses the tall face of an erosion-carved iceberg. Off Velkomstpynten, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170945858-73CJCNHQ8ODW9ESD2ART/Nat_World-23.jpg Naturescapes - Rockhopper Dance Southern rockhopper penguins dance ashore on Saunders Island. The island is run as a sheep farm, with a handful of isolated group structures for visitors. Those guests are primarily attracted by the abundant wildlife, which also includes king, gentoo and macaroni penguins, plus black-browed albatross and other birds. The Falklands archipelago is a British overseas territory. Saunders Island, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom, 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1610321961190-6GC56PBEOO8YI2VQ116K/Nat_World-18.jpg Naturescapes - Blue Ice Beauty A cape petrel flies across the face of a large iceberg. Wave action at the water line has cut into the highly compressed (and therefore deep blue) ice there. The vertical channels may be a result of erosion. South Georgia Island is a British overseas territory. Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island, United Kingdom, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613170977280-1HVVWQDD9C12OIB5QLII/Nat_World-29.jpg Naturescapes - Antarctic Close-up I South of Cape Dubouzet, off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and at the edge of the Antarctic Sound, an iceberg close-up reveals exquisite blues. Off Cape Dubouzet, Antarctica, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613171015182-YAMQYB8WL9VOCG938NOE/Nat_World-26.jpg Naturescapes - Antarctic Close-up II South of Cape Dubouzet in the Antarctic Sound, an iceberg shows the sculpting effects of wave and wind erosion. Off Cape Dubouzet, Antarctica, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1607103158873-DHN3WPTAOJW8IYOCCF37/Nat_World-10.jpg Naturescapes - Graham Land Greys and Blues With the steep rocky slopes of Graham Land in the background, icebergs float in Charlotte Bay, Antarctica, off the Rectus Peninsula. Blue colors in the ice indicate it has been under intense pressure deep in a glacier, squeezing out embedded air. Charlotte Bay, Antarctica, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1607105493579-9M0I8VWMPXL309YTY9K8/Nat_World-11.jpg Naturescapes - Wilhelmina Reverence II A dramatic rock escarpment on the Arctowski Peninsula towers hundreds of feet over the glassy waters of the bay. Wilhelmina Bay, Antarctica, 2016. https://www.markovergaard.art/wilderness-africa daily 0.75 2025-08-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755878445555-DOASHUJJGTG3VRRIU0J9/cover+page+composite.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Celebrating Wilderness Africa This portfolio is part of a group exhibition by Image Crafters Santa Cruz in August/September, 2025. The portfolio celebrates both the beauty of wilderness Africa and its potentially crucial role in mitigating the climate crisis, while also acknowledging the jeopardy of the wilderness and its indigenous inhabitants in the face of that crisis, in addition to other pressures. See the nearby About the Portfolios page for more background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755878445555-DOASHUJJGTG3VRRIU0J9/cover+page+composite.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Celebrating Wilderness Africa This portfolio is part of a group exhibition by Image Crafters Santa Cruz in August/September, 2025. The portfolio celebrates both the beauty of wilderness Africa and its potentially crucial role in mitigating the climate crisis, while also acknowledging the jeopardy of the wilderness and its indigenous inhabitants in the face of that crisis, in addition to other pressures. See the nearby About the Portfolios page for more background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812215642-AY3A31QNYOQ4YK52NM56/Wilderness-Africa-2x3-1.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Headed for Hunting Class A lioness and her cubs traverse the Mara, likely headed out for an early evening hunt. Additional members of the tribe lounge in the background. Masai Mara National Park, Kenya, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812240803-5VCOXG18BBLTPZRI1KL5/Wilderness-Africa-2x3-5.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Mana Pools Morning Peace Mana Pools is a jewel of the Zimbabwe park system. Elephants are an active and vital part of the ecosystem and winter-thorn trees are a primary food source for them. This morning encounter was remarkable for its serenity. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812192593-J23Y4TNH3PB0DA76EMQU/Wilderness-Afirca-pano-1.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Serengeti Icon Acacia trees make a sunset statement. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, 2014. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812226311-QDFS16C7OCMMIWD1LJ4Z/Wilderness-Africa-2x3-3.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Enchanted Evening Prowl A lone lioness surveys a meadow at sunset. Hwange is Ziimbabwe’s largest national park, with over 3.6 million acres, famous for its lions. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812197778-ZQ238CXGT6VTICTZ60CK/Wilderness-Afirca-pano-3.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Golden Hour Tegay I For Suri young men, body painting is a whole-body tradition for special occasions. These young men in the tegay age set just finished their painting at the Kibish River. Suri District, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812253232-BFELZKA5HU5TC9HA527D/Wilderness-Africa-4x5-1.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Golden Hour Scan for Prey Lion siblings just finished their afternoon rest, high in the branches of this acacia and now consider hunting possibilities on the plains around Lake Nakuru. Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya, 2012. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812364951-13JLGLS1T4LZQMLQ99DN/Wilderness-Africa-4x5-3.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Life Support A baobab (often known as the tree of life in Africa) silhouette. A pair of African fish eagles is perched in the top center branches and a large buffalo weaver nest is on the left. Okavango Delta, Botswana, 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812357893-M6XXVC4QHYK1MKE7B6KK/Wilderness-Africa-4x5-2.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Whole Body Painting, Tegay Style Two Suri young men add final touches on their clay-painted bodies. They use finger tips to make patterns on their own or a peer’s clay-covered body. Suri District, Ethiopia, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812364915-PB7R8VVK9X28RD4VDV6B/Wilderness-Africa-4x5-4.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Dusted Golden Light Elephants dust-bathe as a form of skin and overall health maintenance. Here, the late afternoon sun has set the dust ablaze. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812194054-CMLA82XRIC3JNXTBC51Q/Wilderness-Afirca-pano-2.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - End of Day Dusting, with Chilojo Cliffs Gonarezhou (“The Place of Elephants”) is the 2nd largest park in Zimbabwe. The Chilojo Cliffs rise 180m above a 20km stretch of the Runde River. Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe, 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812232346-9K1LNZZOGUGJ6T9UQF5S/Wilderness-Africa-2x3-4.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Mana Pools Magic Sunrise color silhouettes an impala under winter-thorn trees. Winter-thorns are a crucial part of this rich ecosystem along the powerful Zambezi River. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812197965-M0BYHYBBMLPD37YDJP9Y/Wilderness-Afirca-pano-4.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Back to the Boma A Maasai herder guides his cattle back to the protection of the boma. The SORALO Maasai collective successfully shares this land with wildlife, including predators. SORALO Lands, South Rift Valley, Kenya, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812214448-9N7GK91KLO40TUBKN0L7/Wilderness-Africa-2x3-2.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Serengeti Stealth A leopard scans for prey, screened by tall Serengeti grasses. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, 2014. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812248308-YDVAQXBWKTM3LRQ1PSP5/Wilderness-Africa-2x3-6.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Okavango Buffalo Sunset The vast Okavango Delta is one of the few intact interior delta systems that don’t flow into an ocean or sea. The Delta’s unique hydrologic properties create one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife during its high season; Cape Buffalo are a keystone species there. Okavango Delta, Botswana, 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1755812248851-GMEOK3NK6WSCY3BPG0N5/Wilderness-Africa-2x3-7.jpg WILDERNESS AFRICA - Topi Tapestry A solitary topi scans the Mara from a ridge before sunrise. Masai Mara National Park, Kenya, 2017. https://www.markovergaard.art/eloquent-suri-about daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/55e09012-650c-4b1f-b81f-dd1a39186dcf/ethiopia-210601.png About the Project - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/98dee3c0-8ab2-466e-8e94-6b0109b43079/Gergere+leads+training+session.jpg About the Project - Make it stand out Gergere leads the first teacher training session in the new Light of the Suri MTE initiative. All teachers in the first two years of the program (nine and twelve in each of the years), even the veterans of the SLP, needed and benefited from Gergere’s refresher on best practices for Suri MTE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/dd2f63b9-73de-418a-b827-207ba8aee279/Final+1.2.png About the Project - Make it stand out You can download the logo for use on your site from here. If you choose to use the logo on your site, please notify me (see my CONTACT page) so I can alert you if revisions are made to the logo. Please don’t make your own modifications to the logo. If you have a recommendation for improvement, please let me know. https://www.markovergaard.art/hindu-reverence-about daily 0.75 2021-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1600200498232-RJO91TX9CQ89ARKLNFE2/Hindu_Reverence-0A.jpg About the Project Bathing in the Ganga is clearly a transporting experience for this devotee at the ghats in Varanasi. But the river also meets more ordinary daily needs of tens of millions of Indians, including these women performing their daily ablutions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1600379964872-36TW25WTK8JK2AB4I1BX/Hindu_Reverence-0B.jpg About the Project In a Vrindavan temple dedicated to Krishna, devotees exalt, with Holi powder everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1600092574818-MN9RQ653B7O1RKG0TGHX/India_map.jpg About the Project https://www.markovergaard.art/home daily 1.0 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709396092810-2TEZU4FFW296G3C3483T/Suri+2.0+print-5.jpg Home - ELOQUENT SURI / Ngaturɛ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709396121916-KMXHQIEPUP58KZ1HMCYW/Suri+2.0+print-7.jpg Home - ELOQUENT SURI / Ngalulɛ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709396069504-NXYX5VE37C8KBZ0UMOCI/Suri+2.0+print-4.jpg Home - ELOQUENT SURI / Barmugur & Barhallo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1709434786947-A01RLC74W303XJIBH0K4/Suri+2.0+Suriscapes-5.jpg Home - ELOQUENT SURI / GOLDEN HOUR TEGAY I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608317242186-OL38BQ0Z2TYHZ8D3B2F4/Hindu_Reverence-02.jpg Home - HINDU REVERENCE / Sunrise Sadhu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608317303420-M79IA4O8XKQL1MTRQWFM/Hindu_Reverence-06.jpg Home - HINDU REVERENCE / Mala and Mantra https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608317356809-HHD1TIBFXFBJUF3RAAXF/Hindu_Reverence-09.jpg Home - HINDU REVERENCE / Holi Powder, Temple Light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608317414608-QMZHIQ6P95RH7P32MYL4/Hindu_Reverence-10.jpg Home - HINDU REVERENCE / Reverence and Powder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608321076598-ZK7VJ00GNPJIQ4YMB2GK/Nat_World-2.jpg Home - FRAGILE NATURE / Nankoweap Vista https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608321105755-1O7J7GDI7ZF7Y9D6W1Z4/Nat_World-6.jpg Home - FRAGILE NATURE / Setsuri Awakening https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608321129117-8J7LEUZ010JEQS3Q46AQ/Nat_World-5.jpg Home - FRAGILE NATURE / Magadi Flamboyance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1608321148341-YA9AS7E5HIXI4IY8V2AH/Nat_World-9.jpg Home - FRAGILE NATURE / Ethereal Fluglefjorden II https://www.markovergaard.art/about-the-artist daily 0.75 2025-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1612556677634-B46BNFTOGY3UHH4BDY4H/MarkO+w+Wilhelmina+Reverence+II.jpg About the Artist Taking advantage of the deck outside my studio and surrounded by redwoods, I’m inspecting a framed print of my Wilhelmina Reverence II image. It was included in my 2019 exhibit Finding Reverence at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula (about fifty miles south) and is now part of the Envisioning a Fragile Natural World series. The exhibit combined polar naturescapes with cultural portraits that are now part of my Envisioning Hindu Reverence series. https://www.markovergaard.art/contact daily 0.75 2024-07-23 https://www.markovergaard.art/verbal-stories daily 0.75 2020-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1597102471584-YDW70KFOYKI1TASZMTYM/Suri_Ethiopia-0.jpg Squarespace test The small Kibish River is a critical water source for the nearby Suri. On the right bank is a massive stone pier for a future bridge over the river; so far, there is no corresponding connecting road. This pier is a harbinger of coming development encroachment challenges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1600034450771-T3UGZIAC1X6VHLHGS1AR/Ethiopia_map_1500.jpg Squarespace test https://www.markovergaard.art/fragile-nature-about daily 0.75 2021-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1611153094664-H8HQOK0Q4OYN44EGAMPF/world+map+3.jpg About the Project This map shows key circles of latitude that delimit the world’s main climate zones: the north and south polar and temperate zones, as well as the tropical zone centered at the equator. Highlighted countries or areas include image sites in this collection. https://www.markovergaard.art/fragile-nature-prints daily 0.75 2021-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1609893088337-5X4DBU83QMLUU7V2QMRF/composite+small+2.jpg Limited Edition Prints https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1610049721883-MB1QZKTHR7C4EKHZVBKP/composite+large.jpg Limited Edition Prints https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1609870502951-ONQXSSUG172UUHIHGPRX/composite+medium.jpg Limited Edition Prints https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1610853522311-30HXZNQRVSMRUCTC61Q4/emerging+print+--+fragile+nature.jpg Limited Edition Prints https://www.markovergaard.art/eloquent-suri-prints daily 0.75 2024-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/d6922982-e8c5-4be6-b990-13d747085b95/Suri+2.0+5x4+8W.jpg Limited Edition Prints - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1610735596138-OZTRLALEPHTCJFY7SD46/comp+8W.jpg Limited Edition Prints https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1611001832497-LGARONBWAOG6FVLJV06K/emerging+print-suri.jpg Limited Edition Prints https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/9f3b59dd-d770-454e-88d8-f9365a242829/Suri+2.0+12W+N.jpg Limited Edition Prints - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.markovergaard.art/hindu-reverence-prints daily 0.75 2021-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1610853612650-LN7HW2V0ZXG9VNTW5T8X/emerging+print-hindu.jpg Limited Edition Prints https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1610743242298-1WN5XECB7A4V011YRESV/comp+8W+Hindu.jpg Limited Edition Prints https://www.markovergaard.art/traveling-exhibition daily 0.75 2024-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602341461-1J4BKNVI8TDJXEK9LDDW/PGAC-Kibish-scene.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602340693-TTBZJYM91OH9QS8I98X7/PGAC-Kibish-map.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602345228-D45KPQ2CLZEYZW4C0QTH/PGAC-RP-portrait-1.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602346211-XCVITSA2HBFFD5LO2RHI/PGAC-RP-portrait-2.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602346487-S8P5Z6O34YT54270KEK8/PGAC-RP-portrait-3.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602347926-PQVP5G37SHZHYIZ2IDX9/PGAC-RP-portrait-4.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602348378-CKLKVVIHZ0RUJTELZZJT/PGAC-RP-portrait-5.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602342468-Z656HMAQ8HQV5N6F24M6/PGAC-posters-1500-1.jpeg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602349307-0BNI9UNSN6IEF4LPZEH0/PGAC-RP-portrait-6.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602350042-FMZJWSYFRAWHRB804KXK/PGAC-RP-portrait-7.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602353464-ZPVES6SL6LDRR51I53TM/PGAC-RP-portrait-8.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602353756-BM7LDA9IZJZ4UXTGZHGL/PGAC-RP-portrait-9.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT 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https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602368290-3KORBME7GJ0MQ9WQSA7U/PGAC-RP-portrait-20.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602344395-BDB22QB3RH91PNKAQQ6O/PGAC-posters-1500-4.jpeg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618602369110-L6TSJAAPS2WGOZWHF0RX/PGAC-RP-portrait-21.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618413346056-GH454FFT9HH4NGJ9A40M/PGAC-RP-install-1.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618413378509-Z9QL6R5WS61J3Y5Y6RMY/PGAC-RP-install-4.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618413402280-ESZKOJSSQWIUBF4GVNIG/PGAC-RP-install-6.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1618413423799-TZVAUCYSBN4IGVPO3YLZ/PGAC-RP-install-5.jpg TRAVELING EXHIBIT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/df3dee9a-3cd0-44b7-870b-21f23a5fd3bf/suri-poster+w+Aug+16.png TRAVELING EXHIBIT - Make it stand out The Atrium Gallery is located in Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) McCone building at 499 Pierce Street, Monterey, CA. The building is open to the public weekdays from 7am to 7pm (except holidays observed by MIIS). Thanks to Eduardo Fujii of MIIS for his role in coordinating the exhibition at this venue and for designing the graphic above. https://www.markovergaard.art/acquiring-prints daily 0.75 2021-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1611791972592-JW1J2WVNKGPFATV3DQ4J/comp+8W+Omo.jpg ACQUIRING PRINTS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1611791988857-EZFI3VC5PQZCPFX37MIY/comp+8W+Hindu.jpg ACQUIRING PRINTS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1611792874290-XTXEH8D5YCHBW0D6O90I/composite+small+2.jpg ACQUIRING PRINTS https://www.markovergaard.art/suri-translation-literacy-and-alphabet daily 0.75 2021-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1613753773302-YL0GOV6GWWJLKSPBT882/DEC15_Poster-FINAL-revised-ornamental-frames.jpg Suri Translation, Literacy and Alphabet Suri Alphabet, Revisited https://www.markovergaard.art/general-suri-project-background daily 0.75 2021-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1597102471584-YDW70KFOYKI1TASZMTYM/Suri_Ethiopia-0.jpg General Suri Project Background The Kibish and the Future. The small Kibish River is a critical water source for nearby Suri. On the right bank is a massive stone pier for a future bridge over the river; so far, there is no comparably sized connecting road. This pier is a harbinger of coming development encroachment challenges. Ngamɔri, the Suri youngster crouched on top of the pier, will likely experience those challenges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/1600034450771-T3UGZIAC1X6VHLHGS1AR/Ethiopia_map_1500.jpg General Suri Project Background https://www.markovergaard.art/2nd-generation-project daily 0.75 2024-05-22 https://www.markovergaard.art/eloquentsurishortfilm2022 daily 0.75 2023-04-03 https://www.markovergaard.art/suri-alphabet-live-classroom daily 0.75 2024-02-05 https://www.markovergaard.art/suri-mte-kilonga daily 0.75 2024-02-06 https://www.markovergaard.art/suri-alphabet-w-example-words daily 0.75 2024-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/25903840-28ca-4959-98a4-c8dfae5831c7/alphabet+chart+top+clear+20240314+HD.jpg Suri Alphabet & Example Words - Make it stand out Above are the 1st 11 letters of the Suri alphabet, with an example word and drawing for each. Watch the video to hear Suri teacher Bargu Olekibo read the entire chart to learn the alphabet and your first 30 Suri words in 90 seconds! Elisabeth Ajtay designed the chart using, with permission, literacy materials from the Suri Literacy Project. Suri members of the project created the drawings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/dfccc38a-f131-4f82-9958-dd67c1ec4326/alphabet+chart+2500+2MB.jpg Suri Alphabet & Example Words - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.markovergaard.art/visually-speaking-show daily 0.75 2024-10-28 https://www.markovergaard.art/home-for-downloadable-pdfs daily 0.75 2025-08-20 https://www.markovergaard.art/about-the-portfolios daily 0.75 2025-08-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f18b753e07dbb46e5e2f6eb/cb6282d3-de6e-4f6b-91bf-381627241c8a/MO+ICSC+2025+wall.jpg About the Portfolios - Make it stand out This portfolio is part of Through Our Eyes 2025, a group exhibition of Image Crafters Santa Cruz at the R. Blitzer Gallery in Santa Cruz CA. The exhibition is on view from August 21 thru September 27 and open Thursdays thru Saturdays, 1-4pm or by appointment. Image Crafters is a collective of eight extraordinary local photographers, each of whom has their own portfolio wall in the spacious R. Blitzer Gallery. My images above are arranged across a 17-foot-wide main portfolio wall.