WOMEN'S MONTH

EVERYDAY A WOMAN PLATFORM

"South Africa commemorates Women's Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. The Government of South Africa declared August women's month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women's Day."

National Women's Day celebrates the strength and resilience of women and their contribution to society and country.

TTLC would like to celebrate the multidimensionality of womanhood through the month of August with an online Women's Show.

Lens based artists were invited to send in work related to the theme of WOMEN.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

Nonzuzo Gxekwa / Naledi Chai / Aleruchi Kinika / Rachel Seidu / Jood Ahmed / Tsholofelo Kodisang / Alaa Almakki / Ezona Njokweni / Laura Menassa / Puleng Mongale / Lebo Thoka / Damilare Adeyemi / Antalya Jaël / Alexandra Obochi / Noncedo Msibi / Felecia Solomons / Florentina Cassambwe / Eveline Gerritsen / Aina Zo Raberanto / D.M Terblanche / Sophie Smith / Nengi Nelson / Sharday Swanepoel / Niamh Walsh Vorster / Tayla Bolton / Nadia Ettwein

Nonzuzo Gxekwa, Isihlwele

Naledi Chai, Reached the end of my page age 8

My image relates to themes concerned with representation in the digital age and how the black woman's body gets to exist in spaces supposed to be devoid of time and space constraints like the internet and thinking about the thin line we walk between hyper-visibility and marginalisation.

Aleruchi Kinika, A Chance For New Growth

A Chance For New Growth shows the beauty of starting over, taking risks and finding support in other women. It expresses the importance of being a safe space for vulnerability, free from judgment and filled with support. Edidiong sits patiently as her friend, Faith, helps her with cutting her hair. A chance for a new beginning. It applies to this team because it shows womanhood and sisterhood as one entity.

Rachel Seidu, Niyi and Wande at home

Jood Ahmed, Minan

The photograph translates my admiration for images I saw in my house growing up. There’s a sensation in black and white photos, that takes me back to my grandmother’s stories about a Sudan we’ve never experienced.

Tsholofelo Kodisang,

Ke Ea Hopola (Re-Membering)

"With this photograph, I explore the recovery of unconsciously buried distressing memories of traumatic events and feelings that no longer form a part of my consciousness, in order to retrieve forgotten indigenous knowledge, the wisdom of my elders, where my connection and healing reside. This photograph is part of a series titled “Bofifing” where I contemplate the importance of hair and how it informs and forms the basis of my identity. The Bodies of Black Women in contemporary white-supremacists capitalist patriarchial societies are a significant and overlooked site on which the enduring colonial and apartheid desire to control black bodies is enforced through anti-black hair policies in key social institutions that perpetuate rhetoric dehumanization of Black Women. The project becomes the starting point for confronting hair politics.”

Nadia Ettwein, Mother

Ezona Njokweni, Isingqala soMzili

The work is titled Isingqala soMzili, it looks at the concept of widowhood and black womanhood. In this work, I am investigating and reimagining the lives of the SS Mendi and Marikana widows both during and post apartheid in South Africa, in an attempt to understand and trace the positionality of widows in our country.

Alaa Almakki, Heroine

I see my aunt as a super strong person and a heroine. In the image she is carrying sticks which we use as a fuel for cooking, she always manages to do whatever it takes to keep life going.

Laura Menassa, You told me I was beautiful

In 2022, I started "You Told Me I Was Beautiful," a project delving into eating disorders, their underlying social or familial factors in Lebanon. Through conversations with women, I realize the significant influence of social norms and beauty standards on their body image’s perception. These discussions consistently revolved around common themes: body hair, shapes, societal expectations of women. What should be a personal decision became a contentious space where external opinions or societal pressures intervened, leading women to face challenges in defining their own sense of identity and femininity.

Puleng Mongale, A Survivor, Not A Saint

In "A Survivor, Not A Saint (2024)," I confront society's flawed ideals of the "perfect victim." Women are often pressured to conform to narrow stereotypes — depicted as saintly figures, visibly battered, or tragically deceased — for their accounts of sexual violence to be considered credible. This perpetuates a harmful ideology that restricts justice and reinforces damaging biases against survivors. Through this artwork, I challenge these entrenched beliefs, aiming to dismantle the myth that only certain women are victimised.

Lebo Thoka , Black of my flesh

This is a self portraiture photographic artwork that explores black womanhood within theology and the greater society..Through the use of a 'Black Mary'; figure as a central character, she is the leader of this exploration of black womanhood within patriarchal and theological structures. She begins the reclamation of its agency by destabilising the ideals of what divinity is and who is valuable by human definitions..When it comes to reinterpreting religious scenes the simple action of changing a colour scheme begins to subvert the Eurocentric ideals that have set in stone the face of divinity and who it belongs to. De-centering Western standards within the realm of celestial exploration is to begin the journey of exploring black womanhood with just as much grandiosity, just as much power, and limitlessness whilst also examining the lived realities, and oppressive systems faced across the African diaspora.

Damilare Adeyemi,

Portrait of Mariam, 2024

Damilare Adeyemi,

Portrait of Iman

"I'm fascinated by the beauty and significance of hijabi names, and I love transforming them into vibrant patterns and colours that reflect the strength and grace of each individual. By incorporating their favourite colours and personal elements, I create unique pieces that celebrate their identity, culture, and personal style. My goal is to break down stereotypes and showcase the diversity and beauty of the hijabi community, highlighting their contributions and presence in all aspects of society. Through my art, I aim to amplify their voices, stories, and self-expression and to create a more inclusive and compassionate world."

Damilare Adeyemi,

Portrait of Qanitat

Antalya Jaël, Heritage Mizizi

The “MIZIZI” (Swahili for roots) project explores the legacy of Arab occupation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on the concepts of identity, nation and memory, as well as the complex consequences of centuries of migration and trade.
Antalya Jaël, originally from Maniema, explores the history of her region during the Arabo-Swahili occupation, focusing on environmental, clothing, cultural and linguistic aspects transmitted orally. As a photographer, she documents this history visually by consulting archives, conducting interviews and exploring her environment.

Nengi Nelson,

See Me

This photo series is influenced by Victor Frescos' Netflix series with a comic twist “A Santa Clarita Diet” and visually inspired by Carrie Mae Weems “Kitchen Table Series”.In A Santa Clarita Diet, the main character Sheila transforms into an “undead”.

This transformation becomes a powerful story of the changes

women sometimes undergo and the isolation or bravery that can arise from embracing ourselves. It confronts the often grotesque and unsettling feelings that are associated with body dysmorphia and the pressure on women’s bodies

through the distorted lens of societal beauty standards. Through these self-portraits, I in turn explore the theme of self-acceptance, confronting the discomfort I experience when I look at different parts of my physical body looking at it through the broken lens i have always viewed it but this time admiring it and accepting it.

Whilst Sheila's transformation was unplanned, I am intentionally asking myself to

accept my own transformation and love myself in the way I truly deserve. In order to celebrate a thing you must first accept it for what it is, and I am accepting my body the way it is.

Alexandra Obochi,

Unity in Diversity

The theme for international women’s day this year was inspire inclusivity. For me I’ve always been on the fore front of this theme most especially as a plus size queer multidisciplinary woman living in Nigeria. A lot of the times I’ve had to asked to be included and I’ve had to fight my way into rooms that I shouldn’t have had to fight to get into. So I’m urging creatives and people around the world to make sure to include and celebrate all women , celebrating our multidimensionality and empowering us for equality thereby creating a community and safe environment where we feel safe to create and thrive. This year I decided to do a photoshoot which had no restrictions especially based on appearance.

Noncedo Msibi, Moonflower

The moonflower is a flower that blooms in the (dark) in the evening unlike most flowers. I guess to me this is representative of women in our society. As women we are often limited in the exploits we wanna do. We are prejudged before we can even prove our competency. This is for the women who defy the odds, the ones who choose to be bold and bloom in the darkness of the world. The ones who demand to be seen and heard because we're not ornaments to flaunted like trophies but our voices matter too.

Felecia Solomons, Prickly

The inspiration behind the image and how it relates to the open call theme stems from a place of reclaiming a woman’s right to her body. Prickly speaks to the sensitivity surrounded by the topic of body shaming and abuse.

Florentina Cassambwe, Ma Queen

As women we are uniquely created, but there are certain characteristics that we all possess, and that is the strength and capability to overcome adversities. From.a young age, a woman is trained to be responsible in the household, taking care of everyone and ensuring that everything is up to standard. When she grows up, she is able to apply all these values and pass them on to her daughters.

Tayla Bolton, Reclaiming Power

The photograph is part of a series I have done exploring the journey of a woman reclaiming her power after experiencing an act of Gender-Based Violence. The red rope represents her traumatic experience and the blue fabric represents the ‘masculine’ oppression women feel every day. This depiction relates to the theme because this is a reality that many South African women experience.

Eveline Gerritsen, The Girl of Capricorn

Aina Zo Raberanto, Like a Painting

A photo taken during a reggae concert in Antananarivo (Madagascar). These two young women are among the group's fans. The atmosphere was electric and I wanted to immortalise it. I really like this photo, which looks like a painting.

D.M Terblanche, Arina Heroldsbay Pool, 2023

Sophie Smith, Between here and Heaven

This image grapples with the identity my children inherit as first generation white South Africans with little religious or cultural context. Growing up as an expat British evangelical Christian, I was taught that home was London, but our eternal home is in heaven. Now Africa is home and I doubt if heaven exists and so for me and my children, moments rooted and grounded in the land and natural world must be enough as we grapple with the idea of home.

Rachel Seidu, Untitled

Sophie Smith, Horsey girls

This image is from an ongoing series documenting the connection between children and the natural world. Bringing children into a world that is straining under the weight of humanity comes with a responsibility to raise these children as caretakers of this world. I am drawn to capture the profound connection that children have with the natural world and the formative influence it has on them - the wide open spaces and tiny details, the cycles of life and death, the textures and tones, the way that being outside and immersed in nature simultaneously soothes and stimulates, rejuvenates and regulates them.

I’ve come to realise that children will learn to protect the Earth not from place of fear about its destruction, but from a place of deep awe and love and connection.

Niamh Walsh Vorster,

Granny and Tortoise

A portrait of my grandmother, Mary Vorster, at her home in Visckhuil, Gauteng, March 2024. This image was made a few weeks before her 91st birthday.

Sharday Swanepoel, Mom

bios:

Felecia Solomons

Felecia Solomons (b.1992) is a lens-based artist and photographer based in Hermanus, South Africa.

Felecia’s work delves into the realms of imagination and observation, crafting emotional dialogues that examine themes of identity and femininity. With a qualification and background in Hospitality Management Felecia traveled extensively. She discovered photography as constructed realities from imagination and creativity. As a self-taught photographer, her work explores creating her own sense of home in connection with others, safety and womanhood. Felecia's work has showcased in Through the Lens Collective “The Portrait Show'' (2021 & 2023), featured in a group exhibition, “Everything, everyone, always.” (2022), The Salon Show - Open Studios (2022) and has work featured on Latitudes Online Platform (2023 & 2024). With a deep resonance for the conscious and unconscious experiences of others, Felecia sees photography as a unique opportunity to see what others see, bring a sense of what she sees, and share the feelings of others.She continues to develop her photographic projects across both digital and film mediums, capturing the essence of those around her.

Instagram Handle - blackbird_24

Ezona Njokweni

Ezona Njokweni was born in Gugulethu and is currently in her last year of studying Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Rhodes University. She is majoring in photography and art history. Her artist practice is multimedia as she works with photography, performance art and digital art. Njokweni has exhibited her sculpture and installation at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda. In 2023 her third-year photography was exhibited at the student exhibition at the National Arts festival titled Sundikroba! and iQume project. She has curated Siphethe iinyembezi ezeminyaka and Imvuselelo: KwaNtlandlolo at the Rhodes University Fine Art gallery and Drama department. In 2023 she was a top three winner for Urban Spaces and Public Life project and had a three-month residency at the Market Photo Workshop, Johannesburg. In 2024 her work titled Isinqgala soMzili was exhibited at the National Arts Festival. Her work titled Asiyi eKhayelitsha is currently exhibiting in Johannesburg, the exhibition for Urban Spaces and Public Life “in, relating to, or characteristics of: a photographic exploration life in Africa.” exhibition.

Instagram Handle : @ezonanjokwenii

Florentina Cassambwe

Florentina Cassambwe is Mozambican, born on November 12, 1999, residing in Maputo. She has a degree in Cinema and Audiovisual from the Instituto Superior de Artes e Cultura.
She became interested in the world of seventh art while still a teenager and decided to follow his path in art world since then. It is through cinema and photography that she finds a way to express all her feelings. feelings about the world around you, about the reality you live in your home and in society. In public spaces where the world lives in disguise, it penetrates to find the SELF of each face and its reality in nature outside of these mirrors imposed by society of what is a ideal human.
She has participated in photography workshops and film events since 2018. In 2022 he participated in the Uncle notebook photo contest. In 2023 he participated in the production of the short film A Corda, among other small productions.

Instagram Handle : @floriel_ac

Aleruchi Kinika

Aleruchi Kinika (b.1997) is a visual artist living in port harcourt, Nigeria. Her mediums include photography, writing and pen on paper drawing. Her works explore individual storytelling through an intersection of surrealism, melancholy and chiaroscuro.

Instagram Handle : @Aleruchi.Kinika

Alaa Almakki

Alaa Almakki is an aspiring Sudanese photographer, attempting to reflect on the beauty of Sudanese lives to the whole world.

Instagram Handle :@alaa_almakky

Laura Menassa

Laura Menassa is a photographer and art director based in Beirut. She is a member of Collectif ١٢٠٠ and WomenPhotograph.

Born into an Italian-Lebanese family, Laura found herself in a multicultural environment, raising questions about identity, body image, the notion of territory and time. She uses her camera as a tool to dissect the world around her personal life, to understand our place within the society, to apprehend people, and to explore the different facets of life.

Instagram Handle : @laura.menassa

Tsholofelo Kodisang

Tsholofelo Kodisang born in 1988 is from Thaba ‘Nchu in the Free State, South Africa. Tsholofelo is a Johannesburg-based documentary and portrait photographer interested in exploring and documenting the everyday life of Black South Africans and how she views modern-day South Africa. After obtaining her Master of Laws (LLM) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degrees and working in a corporate position for several years, she decided to pursue photography full-time and completed the Intermediate and Foundation Courses in Photography at the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at Wits university.
Tsholofelo’s work has been featured in Publications such as “Africa, the fashion continent” which features young African Photographers and fashion designers and “Woza Sisi” which showcases work created by four female identifying photographers in response to Dahlia Maubane’s documentary project exploring how a group of women street hairstylists position themselves and use and negotiate urban space. She is currently part of a group exhibition “Pula” at Munro Viewpoint Gallery in Johannesburg and was part of the group exhibition “Your Beauty is My Concern” at Umhlabathi in Newtown, Johannesburg. Tsholofelo was selected for the 2022 inaugural Ruth Motau Mentorship and was part of the 2023 Photo tool 10:10 presentation and feedback session
hosted by John Fleetwood.

Instagram Handle: tsholofelo_kodisang

Puleng Mongale

Puleng Mongale (b. 1991) is a contemporary visual artist based in Durban, South Africa, specialising in photography and digital media. Since the inception of her art practice, Mongale has used her creative expression to probe into her subconscious to process and articulate her lived experiences.
Over the years, her artistic journey has evolved into a reflective exploration of themes that resonate with her identity as a young African woman in South Africa. Mongale’s work explores themes related to spirituality, belonging, identity, and womanhood.
Mongale’s work has been shown in multiple group exhibitions including Africa Foto Fair, Abidjan (2023); Abadali Group Show, Johannesburg (2022); The Fold Group Show, London (2021); Beyond Group Show, Cologne (2021); Terrains of Possibility at the Rele Gallery in Lagos (2021); Heaven on Earth, an online solo exhibition with Doyle Wham x Latitudes (2021); and Ambiguous, a group exhibition with mmArthouse (2020).
In an ever-evolving society, art serves as Mongale's resistance, a tool to determine and define her narrative on her own terms.

Instagram Handle : @pulengmongale

Nonzuzo Gxekwa

Nonzuzo Gxekwa (b. 1981) is a Johannesburg based photographer. Her approach to photography favours the everyday over the spectacular; sharing interesting and intimate moments through focusing the camera on what is around her as well as herself. Whether it is through street photography or the studio, her work explores the human condition in subtle and beautiful ways. Collaboration is a crucial part of her practice, she has worked together with a number of photographers and artists in Johannesburg. She uses the camera to notice and share, actively avoiding preconception where possible. Solo Exhibitions 2020 Life is Beautiful, THK Gallery, Online Exclusive Group Exhibitions 2020 Theater Des Lebens, GAF Hannover, Germany 2019 Yenza Kwenzeke, Underline Projects, Johannesburg Point Blank: Photography and Activism, PH Centre, Cape Town 2017 Black Excellence: Overexposed or Underexposed, Soweto Art Week, Johannesburg 2016 She.Clix: The ‘Women’ Exhibition, Daville Baillie Gallery, Johannesburg, COLLABORATIONS 2017 Soul Songs: exploring themes of jazz and African spirituality, collaboration with Thokozani Mthiyane, Johannesburg 2015 Carbon Copy, collaboration with Noncedo Mathibela, Johannesburg.

Instagram Handle :@taxidiaries_nonzuzo

Alexandra Obochi

Alexandra obochi [b.1999] is a multidisciplinary creative with skills spanning across many creative disciplines including photography, creative/art direction , professional makeup artistry and content creation. Currently living and working in Abuja, Nigeria.

Alexandra's work is focused on representing and documenting queer living in a society where queerness has been marginalized and stigmatized. Celebrating diversity, resilience, and the power of self-expression while striving to shed light on the beauty, strength, and authenticity of LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria.

The other part of Alexandra's work is hugely inspired by culture. The realities of being an igbo woman, uplifting black skin and exploration of Igbo culture serving as a bridge between the past and the present, blending traditional elements with contemporary narratives.

In 2023 Alexandra's works were part of the A WA NIBI exhibition by Matthew blaise and Kampnagel Hamburg. she also was among the 2nd class of grantees for the black women photographer and Nikon usa grant in 2023. Her work has been showed in New york times square for NFT NYC in 2022 and also around new york for the Fewocious x Saveartspace public art view and many other exhibitions across the metaverse. She is a part of black women photographers, African journalist database and Nigerian photographers hub.

Instagram Handle : alexandraobochi https://www.instagram.com/alexandraobochi

Noncedo Msibi

Noncedo Msibi, also known as "Rare Breed", is a budding artist who finds solace and expression through her work. Growing up feeling like a misfit, art became her refuge and a means to be true to herself. She is passionate about creating and exploring different forms of art, constantly pushing the boundaries of her creativity. Msibi's work has been showcased in various exhibitions and she continues to collaborate on special projects and commissions.

Instagram Handle : Ncedo_rarebreed

Jood Ahmed

I’m Jood Ahmed, a 22 years old photographer. My journey began in my childhood home, where I was surrounded by captivating images captured by my beloved aunt. Inspired by her work, I developed a deep passion for photography. Since 2019, I have dedicated myself to photography, focusing particularly on documentary photography, which I see as a powerful medium for conveying raw emotions. I believe photography is an artwork that should be cherished, as it is the only memory that outlives generations.

Instagram Handle :seekinglight___

Niamh Walsh-Vorster

Niamh Walsh-Vorster is an independent photographer, arts administrator and cultural producer. She graduated in 2014 with a BJourn from Rhodes University in Makhanda, South Africa. In 2016, Niamh was the recipient of a BASA Arts Journalism Award for her review in Ja. Magazine. She has worked with the Durban Center for Photography under the leadership of legendary AfraPix photographer, Peter McKenzie. She was part of the third Incubator Programme at The Market Photo Workshop, 2017 – 2018, mentored by Angela Buckland. She is Co-Founder of the Contemporary Archive Project. Currently, Niamh is pursuing her MA in Visual Art at the University of Johannesburg.

Instagram Handle : @niamh.ashling

Sophie Smith

Sophie is a documentary lifestyle photographer living and working in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. Her expertise lies in crafting narratives that seamlessly blend storytelling with artistic expression, capturing profound shared connections between people and the environment.

Deeply rooted in her awe of nature, Sophie’s artistic vision is enriched by her connection with the natural world. Drawing inspiration from the landscapes that surround her and the transformative years spent raising her young children, she possesses a unique ability to uncover the sublime within the ordinary. Her photographic compositions eschew the constraints of conventional styling and technical precision, instead focusing on evoking an emotional response.

Sophie’s journey as a photographer mirrors her personal evolution, as she embarked on a path of introspection and healing while documenting the tender moments of her children’s lives. This introspection has fuelled her fascination with the intricate dynamics between women, children, and nature, particularly the healing properties of water. Through her lens, she endeavours to capture not just images, but the essence of human connection and the healing embrace of the natural world.

Instagram Handle : @sophiesmithphotography

Naledi Chai

Naledi Chai is an interdisciplinary artist working in filmmaking, collage, sound and sculpture. Chai holds Bachelor's Degree of Arts in cinematography, sound design, film editing and scriptwriting. Her work explores object displacement, space and repurposes discarded materials. Chai is interested in methods, approaches and ideas that centre Sub-Saharan African art practices. She is co-founder of research, archiving and DJ collective, Fly Machine Sessions and has collaborated with Boiler Room TV, co-curated and contributed to a sound artist-led Drone Day in 2023. Chai participated in the Waste Not Want Not exhibition, the Brixton Light Festival, Art After Baby and recently was part of Bauhaus.Listening.Workshop at the Goethe-Institut and most recently curated international Drone Day 2024 inJohannesburg.

Instagram Handle: @cu_xtremes @coke_poems

Nadia Ettwein

Nadia Ettwein (b.1984) is a contemporary lens-based artist based in Cape Town, South Africa. Her background in Information Sciences has guided her process in photography by the systematic creation and preservation of her own stories. Nadia’s work is an introspective exploration of social issues, personal identity, and domesticity in South Africa. Through her works, she authors and witnesses the individuality and diversity of womanhood.

Recently named a CAP (Contemporary African Photography Award) 2023 winner, her work has been exhibited as part of the group exhibition 'Shutterland' by Lizamore and Associates in Johannesburg as well as a collective exhibition, ‘(IM)Materiality’ by Notamuseum in Lisbon. She was featured in a group exhibition ‘Everything, Everyone, Always’ by Through The Lens Collective. She resonates with the complexities of the human experience, reflecting on her own identity and abuse. Nadia continues to work on projects in analogue, digital and printed mediums. She is a Through The Lens Collective mentee.

Instagram Handle : @nadia.inreallife

Lebo Thoka

Lebo Thoka is a South African based visual artist. She studied at the Open Window Institute and she graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Visual Communication in 2018. Through the mediums of textile (burlap and wool) and photography Thoka's visual work is mainly influenced by her curiosity surrounding feminist politics, african spirituality , the nature of existence, as well as the human experience in relation to the self and one's own environment etc.

Her work has been shown at the 2018 Addis Foto Fest in Ethiopia, shortlisted for the 2019 Contemporary African Photography Prize,The Royal Photographic Society International Photography exhibition 2021, apart of the PhotoVogue Festival 2022, the recipient of the New Generation Prize of the PHMuseum Women photographer’s, recipient of the Womxn to Watch Award 2022 amongst others.

Thoka’s practice is also largely influenced by her own observations of human nature, human behaviours, human exploration within mental, emotional and spiritual contexts. Thoka draws inspiration from observing people, how people connect, how society works, the destructive and constructive aspects of human nature, the people who take it upon themselves to liberate others where there is oppression, the internal and external struggles of being human.
Through her own personal spiritual evolution Thoka’s practice also explores African spirituality; how African spirituality has evolved, been erased in some ways by colonialism, its uniqueness to each individual, how religion and spirituality clash and co-exist, as well as how the physical environment is an integral part to the spiritual journey.

Instagram Handle: @lebo.th

Sharday Swanepoel

Sharday Swanepoel (b.1986) is a self-taught lens-based artist living in Kommetjie, South Africa.

With a degree in Architectural Studies, her affinity for sculpting with light soon lead her to pick up the camera. As a mother of four, photography became a means of documenting and preserving her own stories. Swanepoel’s work is an introspective exploration of social issues, personal identity, and domesticity in South Africa. Through her works, she explores the concepts of memory. The work has a tone of melancholy: “this too shall pass” a prolific notion fed to woman experiencing the difficulties of mothering. The pictures are made using a combination of digital and analogue photography, reminiscent of the family photo album.

Swanepoel has exhibited her photographs in various group shows, including the 2023 Portrait Show, hosted by Through The Lens Collective, as well in the group exhibition, ‘The Wildest Most Beautiful Ugly’, hosted by Too Tired Project and Open Studio Kommetjie, 2023.

Instagram Handle: @shardayswanepoel

Damilare Adeyemi

Damilare Adeyemi is a Nigerian photographer and visual artist from Lagos, Nigeria. He is currently studying visual arts at the University of Lagos. Damilare draws inspiration from the act of preserving memories, curating moments, and having a deep appreciation for the various elements that come together to craft captivating visual stories. He has a deep interest in the environment and mental advocacy. Using different mediums to promote environmental consciousness and speak about mental awareness are important themes that influence his artistic vision. He is currently looking into materials to use in installations and art pieces since his concern for the environment is founded on cultural understanding and identity.

Instagram Handle : @damilareadeyemigram

Rachel Seidu

Rachel Seidu (b.1997) is a visual artist working across photography and film in creating intimate, emotive portraits reflecting diverse stories and realities. Her practice involves a technical exploration of and experimentation with shadows, contrast and natural lighting.
In 2022, Seidu photographed the cover of the 2022 edition of We Need New Names, the Booker shortlisted novel by Zimbabwean author NoViolet Bulawayo. She was also shortlisted for the James Barnor and Yaa Asantewaa Prize in 2022. Selected group exhibition include Let’s take a moment (2022), O’da Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria, Sòrò Sókè (2022), Foto Wein, Young Contemporaries Exhibition (2020), Rele Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria and Boundaries of Reason(2021), Abuja Photo Festival, Abuja, Nigeria.
Seidu is a member of Black Women Photographers and the African Photojournalism Database. She lives and works in Lagos.

Instagram Handle: @rachelseidu

Antalya Jaël

Antalya Jaël is an artist from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

She currently lives in Kinshasa, where she is studying photography at the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

In her recent projects, she has experimented with art that questions her origins and identity, highlighting the impact of human exploitation on landscapes. By revisiting post-colonial ethnographic photography, she seeks to reveal the identity of her subjects. Antalya has been selected to take part in the Picha workshops at the Lubumbashi 2024 Biennial and in the artistic residency at the Institut Français in Libreville.

Instagram Handle: @antalyajael

Tayla Bolton

Instagram Handle: bolton_photography21

Eveline Gerritsen

Eveline Gerritsen is a well-travelled visual storyteller, known for her ability to capture compelling narratives that inspire. She creates content from a unique perspective, focusing on the experiences of individuals and communities. Originally from the Netherlands, she made a bold move to live in Cape Town, where she now works as a documentary photographer. Her artistry and creative skills allow her to make a significant
impact, particularly in raising awareness about period poverty. Through her thought-provoking photography, she aims to bring attention to the challenges faced by vulnerable girls and open up conversations that lead to positive change around this topic.
One of Eveline's unique strengths is her ability to use photography as a tool to build bridges between people from diverse backgrounds in society. As a photographer, she captures moments that are raw and authentic to create understanding, empathy, and connections.
In addition to her work as a photographer, Eveline also works as a journalist, further amplifying the voices and stories that need to be heard.
Eveline's portfolio reflects her commitment to social impact and her dedication to using her talents as a visual storyteller to
make a positive difference. Through her work as a documentary photographer, journalist, and passionate advocate, Eveline continues to inspire others and hopes to create positive change in the world.

Instagram Handle: @effiegerritsen