The annual Artists for Africa benefit may be behind us for this year, but that doesn’t mean our over two dozen contributing artists are out of mind. Meet Carlo Mari: an internationally renowned underwater and fashion photographer who hails from Italy, but whose heart and soul is in Tanzania. Read on to learn more about Carlo and his special 20th anniversary message for ARC.

Carlo Mari has built his career as an underwater and adverstising-fashion photographer, having worked for major Italian and international magazines. Carlo is also world renowned for his reportages on African landscape and wildlife that are collected together in eight books, and for his Africa and nude fine art prints. Carlo has contributed to Artists for Africa for the past twelve years.

Getting to Know You…

Of all the places you have traveled, which resonates most with you?
Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, USA, Caribbean, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, Europe, and Italy.

What do feel is the biggest challenge facing Africa today?
Poverty and indifference.

What themes or personal experiences are most commonly evoked in your art?
Liberty! And the beauty and the emotion of the life on Earth.

What are you currently working on?
A great photographic project on the sea.

How do you continue to stay inspired?
The love for what I make.

What was the last book you read?
Jurassic Park

What is playing on your iPod lately?
I don’t have an iPod, but I have an iPad with all of my photos!

Carlo shared the following message with ARC on the occasion of our 20th anniversary last month:

Arusha, Tanzania, February 9th, 2011

Dear ARC,

I write you in a wonderful equatorial evening, the sun is reddening the whole sky and painting the clouds that dominate this corner of earth, the southern Serengeti in Tanzania.The large herds are entering in the Ndutu, and nature comes back as usual for its endless natural cycle and dominates the scene. I really would like to be with you in NYC, that I do love since my father introduced me to its wonders when I was  just a teenager. He also introduced me to Tanzania, to the smell of Jacaranda in bloom, nature has the upper hand over the rest … love at first sight, really love at first sight. For your exceptional event, which I have had the honor of being invited to participate for many years, I pray our God to help us to preserve this natural heritage, for my children and for your children, so they can taste the love that you like me have got the chance to feel inside.

I wish ARC and you all good luck and long life!

Carlo Mari

Visit Carlo’s website
Follow Carlo on Facebook and Twitter

Will you be in Italy this June? If so, check out Carlo’s 35th anniversary exhibit at the Wave Gallery in Bresicia, Italy.