Marie-Stella-Maris & Mous Lamrabat

March 22nd marks World Water Day. A special day for raising awareness about access to clean drinking water worldwide. For us, it's an important day to reflect on our social mission. To raise more awareness, we join forces with the Belgian-Moroccan fine art photographer Mous Lamrabat. Together, we traveled to Kenya to visit one of the water projects and to create a unique series of images. One of these photos will be available as a limited edition art poster, available from World Water Day, with only 100 copies produced. The entire profit from this sale will go to the Marie-Stella-Maris Foundation to help even more people access clean drinking water!

We spoke with Lamrabat about his work and his visit to the water project in Kenya.

What motivated you to collaborate on this project with Marie-Stella-Maris?

''When projects come my way where I can clearly see that it's truly 'for the people,' I can never say no to them. Marie-Stella-Maris has exemplified this ethos brilliantly. Their initiative not only fulfills a fundamental need for those in need but also sets a remarkable precedent for other brands. They not only provide essential resources but also communicate their mission in a unique way. I believe you should always give back. That's how success in life works. If the universe blesses you abundantly, never forget to give back."

Photo on the right: When The Moon Sets

What was the concept behind your artistic selection for Marie-Stella-Maris?

"When we started this collaboration, I wanted to tick off three things: the connection with water, an ode to Africa, and capturing the beauty of Kenya. I let those three things spin around in my mind, and this is the result. Did I know exactly how it would look? Not really. But you always have to leave a little room for surprises."

What did you aim to convey with the image "When the Moon Sets"?

"What I wanted to make clear with this photo is that there is indeed water in Africa - it just requires access. The blue light mimics moonlight. The moon attracts water, so the water rises. Hence, the face is partially submerged in the water."

Limited Edition Prints

When the Moon Sets will be available as a limited edition art poster, available from March 22nd for €100 per piece. The entire profit will go to the Marie-Stella-Maris Foundation to help even more people access clean drinking water. Be sure to get yours on time!

view art-poster

How did you experience the journey in Kenya?

"An unforgettable experience. It was intense yet incredibly enjoyable. The people are so friendly and have a wonderful sense of humor, with just the right touch of sarcasm.

Seeing how Amref operates there and the respect they receive was amazing. You'd witness dry plains transform into lush green landscapes from the crops they cultivated. It felt like bringing life into places where it seemed absent. At times, it was emotional, prompting thoughts like 'Why isn't helping people our full-time job?'"

What was it like visiting the water projects?

"It was mostly early mornings. We would jump into the car with bleary eyes, but they would always open up wide when we arrived at the projects. People really need to know what a water pump can do for an entire community! That's why I want to be involved in such things more often."

Has this journey influenced your perspective on the global drinking water problem?

"Many people think that in certain places, there is no water. But there is water everywhere in the world. It's just the access to clean drinking water that is the issue."

"People really need to know what a water pump can do for an entire community!"

What impressed you the most during the project?

"For me, it was the school. I will never forget the energy and atmosphere. Beautiful kids who eagerly wanted to be photographed, the reception, the older kids hanging up laundry, pulling out roots from the ground to taste... I think I spent about half an hour on a single carrot, by the way.

Small detail. I always talked about one day going back to live in Morocco. On a piece of land where I could also start a school and such. This was the perfect example of what I had in mind. So... Inshallah one day!"

"I believe you should always give back. That's how success in life works."

What message do you hope to convey to the global audience through your photos?

"Always 'Unity'! Always 'we are not so different from each other'! Sometimes you have to tell a story, especially when it comes to places like Africa. I am and feel African. So, I strongly believe that we are the windows for the outside world that doesn't come to Africa. I like to show my reality of these places."

About Mous Lamrabat

As an autodidactic artist, Mous Lamrabat delved into the world of photography and contributed to prestigious publications such as Vogue Arabia, GW Middle East & Vanity Fair. His talent has also been utilized in advertising campaigns for renowned brands such as YSL Beauty, Chanel, and WhatsApp. Lamrabat has showcased his work in a solo exhibition titled, "Blessings from Mousganistan," at the renowned photography museum Foam.

Hope and beauty are prominently present in Lamrabat's work. His art stimulates and sometimes reveals a confrontation between the diverse worlds in which he grew up. With aesthetics and humor as his tools, the artist creates powerful, innovative stories around important themes such as human rights, religion, and racism.

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