Photo Incubator:
Edition One Exhibition Opening
A group exhibition by Photography Incubates
Co-Curators: Michelle Loukidis and Musa N. Nxumalo
Opening: Wednesday 30 March 2016, 18h00
Walkabout 2 April 2016 at 11h00
The Photo Workshop Gallery
Market Photo Workshop to open the inaugural DAC Photography Incubator Exhibition
Concept
The Market Photo Workshop in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture are delighted to present the exhibition Photo Incubator: Edition One produced by the first 10 Photography Incubator Programme participants. The exhibition will open on the 30 March 2016 at the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg.
The 10 photographers exhibiting are Dianah Chiyangwa, Madoda Mkhobeni, Matthew Kay, Mmabje Maila, Morris Mohanoe, Mzu Nyamekelithongo Nhlabatsi, Shirin Motala, Siphosihle Mkhwanazi, Motlabana Monnakgotla and Tsioharana Nirina Rabearivelo.
The exhibition is the culmination of a 5-month long Photography Incubator Programme. The programme was developed as an opportunity for practicing photographers, who require assistance in launching their professional careers, to refine and expand their practice while learning additional skills through the guidance of established practitioners, curators and administrators. Aimed at emerging photographers, the Programme is envisaged as a transfer of skills, experience, knowledge and professional practice that might shift talented photographers into a more advanced stage.
Ten emerging photographers with a minimum of 2 years photography practice experience were carefully selected for the distinctive programme. A panel of judges, appointed by the Market Photo Workshop, participated in the selection process and interviewed shortlisted candidates. The judges examined the various applications and selected photographers whose projects proposals were detailed, together with well-organised portfolios for projects that the participants were interested in pursuing during the programme. Their work experiences include, working in media spaces, training young photographers in townships, commercial photography and producing artistic bodies of work. The group was formally inducted into the programme, which commenced on 9 November 2015 and ends on 30 March 2016.
Emerging photographers were afforded the support and guidance by established art and photography practitioners, curators and administrators, who assisted the photographers in gaining a foothold in the broader photography industry while expanding networks.
As a part of this programme, a 2 week-long masterclass was hosted at the Market Photo Workshop. Facilitators were invited for a variety of sessions on photography related topics. Of note, were the sessions on the Business of Photography, Photography Project Management, Working as a Young Professional and Basics of Digital Marketing and Skills Development. These sessions were designed to introduce and expose the 10 participating photographers to current relevant entrepreneurial skills and experiences.
The masterclass highlights included a discussion between Dr. Peter Magubane and Omar Badsha. The 2 legendary photographers discussed the role of photography in the development of a society and the development of critical bodies of work relevant to now and the future. Dr. Magubane and Badsha are part of the DAC’s 2015 South African Living Legends Programme.
The participating photographers were assigned mentors to work with in the development and production of their projects and bodies of work. Photography Incubator Programme mentors are Andrew Tshabangu, Peter McKenzie, Loyiso Oldjohn, Buyaphi Mdledle, Tebogo Kekana, Bronwyn Law-Viljoen, Daylin Paul, Heléne van Aswegen, Michelle Harris, and Amichai Tahor.
The participants received critical support and evaluation from industry experts comprising of John Fleetwood, Michelle Harris, Musa N. Nxumalo and Michelle Loukidis on their projects. The Photography Incubator programme also aims to refine the photographer’s theoretical and technical knowledge by incorporating modules such as visual literacy and visual culture, image analysis and creating photography narrative.
The call for the next cycle of the Photography Incubator Programme is now open. For more information, please visit here
