Revisiting Aisha

Post Updated on May 7, 2011

In this video photographer Jodi Bieber talks about her approach in making the iconic photograph of Bibi Aisha, the Afghan woman featured on the cover of TIME on Aug. 9, 2010. ”I could have made a photograph with her looking or being portrayed more as the victim,” Beiber says. “And I thought, No, this woman is beautiful.”

The photograph of Aisha is one in a series of striking portraits of Afghan women by Bieber, who is based in South Africa and is represented by INSTITUTE. The photograph was awarded the World Press Photo of the Year, one of the highest honors in photojournalism. Last night in Amsterdam, Bieber briefly spoke about her work and showed this recent photograph of Aisha provided by WAW (Women for Afghan Women) who are currently caring for her in the US. Tonight she will accept the award at a ceremony honoring the winners.

In a statement released with the photograph, WAW said, “To protect Aisha’s privacy, Women for Afghan Women does not allow interviews with or photographs of Aisha, so we ask that journalists not contact us for these privileges. However, because we know that millions of people are interested in how she’s doing, we took this photograph of her ourselves. Aisha spends her time studying English, making friends, and learning about American culture. Her surgery will take place in the future.”

WAW continued, “Aisha and WAW are grateful to everyone who wishes her well and want to thank those people who have helped her by sending donations. Donations can be made on the Bibi Aisha page on WAW’s website or by a check made out to WAW/Aisha Mohammadzai and sent to WAW’s address. We assure donors that every cent will be used for Aisha’s care.”

Women for Afghan Women, 158-24 73rd Ave, Fresh meadows, NY 11366

www.womenforafghanwomen.org

To hear Bieber’s lecture from last night you can click here.