Not for us | Extraordinary in the Ordinariness

Unlike those in the modern world who are glued to their phones and cameras, seeking validation or documentation for every experience, the Ovahimba were refreshingly indifferent. Their lives, rooted in a deep connection to nature and tradition, leave little room for distractions like photographs. They didn’t pose, didn’t seek attention, and didn’t waste time on something as foreign to them as capturing an image.

Monika’s project was an exercise in patience and observation. Rather than directing her subjects, she waited for the moments when they were entirely unaware of the camera’s presence. In these quiet, authentic instances, Monika found extraordinary beauty. The moments she captured were not for all, the viewers, but simply reflections of the tribe’s unchanging way of life.