Lip plate
Miro MayMiro May observes the intersections of geography and identity with a steady, respectful gaze. This portrait of a Suri woman honors the physical weight of tradition, centering on the lip plate as a profound symbol of belonging within the Ethiopian landscape.

Lip plate
Miro May observes the intersections of geography and identity with a steady, respectful gaze. This portrait of a Suri woman honors the physical weight of tradition, centering on the lip plate as a profound symbol of belonging within the Ethiopian landscape.
A meaningful share of this purchase goes directly to Miro May.
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Art Analysis
The Enduring Presence of Suri Cultural Tradition
In this portrait, Miro May captures a Suri woman whose presence is defined by the deep-rooted customs of her community in Ethiopia. The focus remains on the traditional lip plate, a hand-wrought object that serves as both a personal ornament and a collective signifier of heritage. The photograph emphasizes the tactile reality of the clay and the resilience of the wearer, situating her within a natural environment that feels inseparable from her identity.
The composition avoids spectacle, instead offering a grounded look at how cultural narratives are etched into the body. By documenting the specific textures of the skin and the singular form of the plate, May provides a window into a lineage of beauty and social standing. It is an exploration of the ways in which human beings shape themselves to reflect their history and their home.
Lo Cicero examines the intersection of gender and ethnic heritage through the stylized representation of a Japanese figure.
The physical object of the lip plate represents a specialized form of creation passed down through generations.
The portrait acts as a visual archive, documenting a specific way of life and the physical symbols that define it.
The work examines the deliberate shaping of the human figure as a form of artistic and social communication.
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