ABOUT

Published April 2015. Editorial submission for Gaschette Magazine's Clan issue.

The theme for this issue was "Clan". I decided to take an African approach to the idea of "clan", while mixing in European, African and Asian elements in the form of different prints and textiles make it more multicultural. The use of prints signifies the relationship between Africa and Europe, because some African prints actually have European, colonial roots; for example, shwe shwe was brought to South Africa by the Germans in the 19th century and Xhosa women appropriated it into their own culture, making it uniquely African. West African wax print also has a similar colonial history and was brought to Africa from Java in Indonesia by Dutch settlers - a great case of "East meets West", which I think this shoot encapsulates. This concept draws influence from my earlier Vidi, Vici, Veni fine art series.

The print-on-print aesthetic and style of the portraits references mid-20th century West African Studio portraiture, such as the work of Seydou Keita and Malick Sidibe. Using the portraiture genre also references classical portrait painting and Victorian portrait photography. The bright colours and textured background draw influence from Tretchikoff's work, and the hessian background gives an earthy feel, again making reference to an African aesthetic.

Photography and retouching: Lauren Fletcher
Styling: Zakirah Rabaney
Makeup: Jacqueline D'Nielle
Model: Aphelele at D&A Model Management.
Special thanks to Craig Hemphill at Direct Photographic, Cape Town.