Image series 10 / 2025: Santu Mofokeng
South Africa in the 1980s
25 February 2025
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By: Bettina Pfleging
The South African artist Santu Mofokeng worked as a photojournalist in his country from an early age. One of the main focuses of his work is the documentation of the strikes against the apartheid regime there. His oeuvre can be read as a sustained examination of photojournalism in the apartheid and post-apartheid era. He worked to challenge the way conventional photographic archives were used for ideological purposes.
Santu Mofokeng’s black-and-white portraits of black families are projected in the exhibition In the second chapter ‘Counter-Narratives’ in an installation. In addition, works by 23 artists from Africa and the African diaspora can be seen, more than 100 works who question the Western-influenced world view.
„A World in Common. Contemporary African Photography“
1 February until 7 May 2025, C|O Berlin
Santu Mofokeng. Supplication, Johannesburg – Soweto Line, Ausschnitt, 1986, Gelatine silver print; PIXX, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Kunst und Kunstwissenschaft
Santu Mofokeng. Riding Staff, Johannesburg – Soweto Line, Ausschnitt, 1986, Gelatine silver print; PIXX, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Kunst und Kunstwissenschaft
Santu Mofokeng. Police with Sjamboks, Ausschnitt, ca. 1986; PIXX, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Kunst und Kunstwissenschaft
Santu Mofokeng. National Union of Mineworkers in Khotso House, Johannesburg, Ausschnitt, 1987, Gelatine silver print; PIXX, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Kunst und Kunstwissenschaft
Santu Mofokeng. Miriam and Koos Maine, Ausschnitt, 1988, Gelatine silver print; PIXX, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Kunst und Kunstwissenschaft
Santu Mofokeng. Pedi Dancers, Dukathole, Ausschnitt, ca. 1988; PIXX, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Kunst und Kunstwissenschaft
Santu Mofokeng. Chief More\’s Funeral, GaMogopa, Ausschnitt, 1989, Gelatine silver print; PIXX, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Kunst und Kunstwissenschaft
antu Mofokeng. A School in Bapong, North West Province, Ausschnitt, ca. 1989, Gelatine silver print; PIXX, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Kunst und Kunstwissenschaft
