THE 'BLACK' COLLECTION 15 MAY MATTHEW WILLMAN EXHIBITION
Wednesday 15 May • 6pm – 9pm
Unit A204 above the Potluck Club
Matthew Willman has travelled throughout Africa and South Africa, documenting, through the medium of photography, communities and individuals – from those that are marginalized and vulnerable, to our country and continent’s great icons – Nelson Mandela being one of them.
RESOLUTE
He uses his camera as a ‘tool’, to step into a situation and to immerse himself into that particular scene. It is by ‘entering the arena’ rather than remaining an outside ‘spectator’ that Matthew has been able to romanticise African documentary photography. He has taken the viewer ‘behind the scenes’, in that the photographs allow one to really see and feel the unveiled essence of the image.
EBONY
Matthew describes photography as “The Art of observation”. His images are not bound by rules – he is driven by a deep passion for what he is aiming to depict – the spirit of the African people. Having met and conversed with so many of Africa’s multi-faceted cultures, Matthew endeavours to convey a sense of “who we are as a people’’.
AFRICAN MOYA
In order to create an image that ‘works’, he puts aside Ego, the theoretical ‘laws’ of composition, cropping, balance, proportion etc. and shoots from an intrinsic understanding of his subject matter and an instinctive feel for how to capture the quintessential moment.
KALAHARI
A successful photograph, to Matthew, is one that is not static. The image holds and directs the viewer’s attention and eye in a way that ignites something in the subconscious as well as pleasing the immediate senses.
SOUL FLIGHT
In these carefully selected works, aptly titled ‘The Black Collection’, Matthew observes the African figure in poses evoking the strength, beauty and grace of so many of its’ people. The images are bold, unapologetic – the shapes and corresponding negative shapes that they create, form a kind of ‘dance’ on the page. Each figure represented has a stoic ‘resolution’ about them. They are solid, immoveable and exquisitely portrayed.
RSVP
RSVP’s will be greatly appreciated for catering purposes to katherine@hamiltongallery.co.za or directly on mobile: 073 8889366. Alternatively just return the RSVP form below.
