Sabelo Mlangeni

Sabelo Mlangeni is a South African photographer living and working in Johannesburg, South Africa. His photography is focused on depictions of communities. Mlangeni's work is held in the collections of Tate, the Art Institute of Chicago, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Walther Collection. Quotes An observer seeks to understand or to achieve an understanding. Photography [is] a continued search.” I don’t walk into a community having a certain idea. I go deep into it. There were times when I felt like things weren’t moving the way they should be, but as an artist you are constantly shifting. Each work requires a different approach, you have to talk to people. You are able to capture moments that you wouldn’t have easily seen if you were an in-and-out. The people you are photographing are not suspicious of you, because you’ve become a part of the community. I feel relieved honestly. The work that we put together…it was intense. But it’s work that, for quite some time, I’ve wanted to see the light.” He mentions how there was an initial mixed reaction when showing the photographs to friends during the development phase, “No, no Sabelo! This is not House of Allure. This is not Country Girls. There was an expectation, but I’m happy with the final presentation. Someone once said, ‘no other place produces as many photographers as Johannesburg. There used to be only a few places for young people to show work, we are seeing more collectives filling in the gaps and providing spaces for photographers to exhibit. I started photographing in 1997, but I would’ve never thought photographs would take me to the places I’ve been, I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone to create particular work. There were times when I felt like things weren’t moving the way they should be, but as an artist you are constantly shifting. It’s the same with Country Girls, that’s my community. Whenever I’m at home, I’m with them. We go out and we have fun, the camera is secondary. I know that a project like that is a lifetime kind of work, so the camera comes out whenever I feel I want to make a photograph. Honestly, the work chooses me. Now understanding the potential violence of the lens, I get why people would ask that. I believe in intimacy, I can achieve it when I begin with communities I am part of. With Umlindelo, it happened at the same time as my introduction to photography. I’ve always been part of the church…since ‘97, until now. I asked myself, ‘how do I negotiate making a photograph of a family in Alex, and take it to a gallery to be sold for however much?’ You know…it’s a constant question. The church became a way for me to give back, at the end of the day, people are letting you into their homes and into their hearts. I don’t want to be boxed or known for one style of work. Sabelo Mlangeni: The Ultimate Insider,n.d External links Category:Living people Category:1980 births Category:Photographers from South Africa