Alessandro Bergamini's 'Asaro' Captures Papua New Guinea's Mudmen

Italian photographer Alessandro Bergamini documents the Asaro tribe of Papua New Guinea, known as the Mudmen, in his project 'Asaro'. The series focuses on their ritual mud masks made from clay, featuring wide eyes and sharp teeth, originally created to frighten enemies during tribal conflicts but now serving as storytelling tools bridging the visible and invisible. Bergamini's photographs balance brutal beauty and sacred gesture, using soft colors and a respectful, non-invasive approach. The work avoids exoticization, aiming instead for sincere understanding and dialogue.