New Artist Watch Feature at Escape Into Life

Lebohang Kganye, The nameless ones in the graves, 2018

Inkjet Print on Cotton Rag Paper

(Inspired by Athol Fugard's The Train Driver)

Copyright © 2018 Lebohang Kganye

PLEASE DO NOT COPY IMAGES

This month's Artist Watch column at the international online arts magazine Escape Into Life showcases a series of photographs from South African photographer Lebohang Kganye, who has been described by Aperture magazine's Michael Famighetti as "a distinguished new voice in contemporary photography."

Lebohang, a relative newcomer to photography — her initial introduction to the medium was in 2009 — lives and works in Johannesburg. Since completing an Advanced Photography Programme in 2011 and university studies in fine arts in 2016, Lebohang has participated in many photography masterclasses and exhibited both locally and internationally in numerous group exhibitions. She also has received considerable attention in the arts press and a number of prestigious photography awards.

You will find in today's Artist Watch column images from Lebohang's series Tell Tale, which draws its inspiration not only from the work of South African playwright Athol Fugard but also from the stories told to her by the villagers of Nieu Bethesda, where Lebohang undertook a residency; you also will find there Lebohang's Artist Statement about the series and biographical information. A remarkably talented photographer, Lebohang is definitely an artist to watch.

Below you will find an additional selection of images from Ke sale teng (Reconstruction of a Family), that Lebohang kindly provided and that I am privileged to share. Much like Tell Tale, the images were made from silhouette cutouts of family members and other props arranged in a diorama, and explore the meaning of "family" and the histories and memories connected with family albums.

Re palame tereneng e fosahetseng, 2016

Inkjet Print on Cotton Rag Paper

64 cm x 90 cm

O robetse a ntse a bala Bona, 2016

Inkjet Print on Cotton Rag Paper

64 cm x 90 cm

Ke ile ka tswela pele ka ho tereka a ntse a bua, 2016

Inkjet Print on Cotton Rag Paper

64 cm x 90 cm

O emetse mohala, 2016

Inkjet Print on Cotton Rag Paper

64 cm  x 90 cm

All of the above have been produced in an edition of 5, plus 2 Artist Proofs. Go here for context by the artist.