A Look At The Cultural Exploration Of South Africas Portraitures

Visit any major art gallery around the world and you’ll quickly realise the prominence of modern African art on a global scale. Portraitures commenting on racial and gender perceptions are becoming increasingly topical among South African artists.

How portraiture is used to explore culture and politics

South Africa’s artists are using their work as a platform towards self-discovery and to comment on African diaspora, as well as how South African culture is evolving. African portraiture has developed in such a way as to focus more on individualism, as opposed to previous artworks that tended to be more idealistic. In Portraiture and Photography in Africa it is mentioned that portraits create identities, whether that be for personal, social or political reasons.

In 2015 the #FeesMustFall student movement inspired artists to capture the zeitgeist of the time through portraiture. One of these artists is Mohau Modisakeng, who used the protests and unrest as inspiration to create powerful images of memory. Through these images he commented on topical social and political events.

Other artists aim their focus away from the political sphere and towards identity, such as Mina Nawe, a collaboration between stylist Slomokazi (Silondile Jali) and photographer Paul Shiakallis. The project looks specifically at gender roles and identity in modern African society.

A closer look at portraiture in South Africa

Courtesy of Slomokazi and Paul Shiakallis

This specific project, Mina Nawe, showcases beauty and style by exploring the subjects of gender and how it forms identities. It does this by juxtaposing two different identities and “confusing” them through external factors, such as clothing, make up and hair styles.

Thina Sobabili is an extension of the Mina Nawe theme and means “the two of us”. The overall theme is an exploration of solidarity in a place where the two characters are completely alone, and are the only ones that matter at that moment in time.

The models, who pose as reflections of one another, in turn create an aesthetic that is balanced out.

The clothing worn by the models was deliberately chosen from the stylist’s own wardrobe or thrift stores. This comments on the effects the economic impact has on style, while at the same time allowing the viewer to consider the notions of African equality and androgyny.

The visual series aims to bridge the divide between the subject and the audience, and its name – meaning “you and me” – asks the viewer to connect with the piece, while keeping in mind the political landscape of South Africa and the history thereof currently, as well as in the future.

The artists say that the project “showcases modern African style and beauty by exploring gender roles, identity and affordability”.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.