South Africa - A Brighter Flame: Photographic Archive


This exhibition represents a selection of new images of South Africa by photographer, film maker and artist Pogus Caesar. Both the people and changing landscape of this unique country are depicted in this powerful collection of striking black and white photographs drawn from Caesar's OOM Gallery Archive.

We are offered an evocative and unique window into South African daily life. Using available light , and choosing to shoot on 35mm film, we are presented with an arresting set of images that speak directly to the viewer. New, old and young faces tell the story of contemporary South Africa.

Wandering through the streets of Johannesburg and Cape Town, Caesar kept his camera steadily focused on the people he encountered. Experiencing the Johannesburg neighbourhoods of Soweto - home of the infamous uprisings in 1976, and the once 'whites only' area of Hillbrow, he progressed to the former site of No 4 Prison on Constitution Hill - where past inmates have included Mahatma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela . Moving onto Cape Town, with a backdrop of Table Mountain and home to an estimated 3.5 million people, Caesar witnessed a different landscape." I visited the winelands and witnessed many contrasting images. Although a seemingly gentler place with a beautiful energy, I was acutely aware of subtle conflicts still existing between the cultural classes"

Through his photographic journey it became clear that the dichotomy of apparent change and 'progress' still conflicts with the painful history and prejudices that can result in underlying tensions. However the artist is non-judgemental in his observations.

Speaking about his inspiration for the exhibition South Africa - A Brighter Flame, Caesar said:"'The visit gave me the opportunity to document what I had only witnessed through the media. It really opened my eyes and heart to the plight of the South Africa people and their courageous attempt to forge a better and brighter future for themselves and their country"'.

South Africa - A Brighter Flame is a snap shot of life, a compelling and evocative exploration of this unique and vibrant country reflected through the people who live there.

Kate Pryor Williams 2010