M’hammed Kilito

Among You

M’hammed Kilito (MA)

Among You reflects the choices around personal identity for Moroccan youth through a selection of portraits of young people, who take their destinies into their own hands. These individuals have the courage to choose their own realities, often pushing the limits of society further. Whether it be through their creative activities, their appearance, or their sexuality, they convey the image of a young Morocco - alert, changing, claiming the right to be different and celebrating diversity. These young people, whose minds embody the resistance of a palm tree – a tree, adapted to the harshest Moroccan climatic conditions – defy the conservative and traditional norms of Moroccan society on a daily basis. They cultivate their private oasis despite the obstacles they encounter in a country that they feel is not progressing at the same pace as they are, and inspire others along the way.

Various artworks of the artist were exhibited at the National Museum of Finland, Korjaamo Culture Factory, Kaapeli, Cultural Centre Stoa, and JCDecaux Finland.

© M’hammed Kilito, Shady, 2019 - half of a diptych

© M’hammed Kilito, Shady, 2019 - half of a diptych

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

M’hammed Kilito (b. 1981 in Russia) is an independent photographer based in Rabat, Morocco, internationally represented by Native Agency. M’hammed holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from Ottawa University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Montreal. He has worked in different parts of the world, with a focus on Morocco. As a documentary photographer, Kilitos addresses issues relating to cultural identity and the human condition. In 2020, M’hammed became a National Geographic Explorer, received The Photography Prize of the Fondation des Treilles and is nominated by World Press Photo for Joop Swart Masterclass. The same year, he is also shortlisted for The CAP (Contemporary African Photography) Prize. M’hammed is an alumnus of the Eddie Adams Workshop (2019) and a Magnum Foundation/AC/Prince Claus Fund grantee (2018). He is a contributor of Everyday Middle East and North Africa, a collection of images that convey a more accurate view of daily life in the MENA region than what is commonly seen in the media. His work has been shown at festivals and venues including the Sharjah Art Foundation (Sharjah), Tate Modern (London), Addis Foto Fest (Addis Ababa) and PHotoESPAÑA (Madrid), among others. His photographs have been featured in magazines and newspapers, such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, El Pais, L’Express, Jeune Afrique and Afrique Magazine.

© M’hammed Kilito, Salima, 2019