On Friday the 1st of November 2024 at 6PM, Field Notes: An Exhibition Presented by Contemporary Archive Project (CAP) opens at Durban’s iconic Jazz and live music venue, The Chairman, located at 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Point Waterfront.

The group exhibition features work from CAP’s archive, inclusive of: Andile Ndunge, Andre Swart, Mandisa Buthelezi, Myllo Menorah, Niamh Walsh-Vorster, Paulo Menezes, Robyn Perros, Seraz Abrahams, Sibusiso Gcaba and Thobani Khumalo.

Guided by the visual connections of the photographs, the exhibition’s content invites you to reflect on themes of fragility, power, togetherness and the significance of the spaces we call home.

Co-Founder of CAP and graduate of the coveted Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) Cultural Producer’s Programme 2022, Niamh Walsh-Vorster has this to say:

“In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, stories are marked like pins scattered across a map. These pins cluster in the city of eThekwini or are more sparsely spread through the landscapes of Nquthu, Tugela, and Amaotana. By mapping out and noting where the photographs were made, the explorers' tracks reveal a wide, eclectic range of stories, each reflecting individual narratives.

In these collections, the photographers are the explorers of their own stories, presenting clips and field notes that present an Insider's view. Subverting old tropes of Outsiders looking in, disconnected from a culture or space, the photographs that make this exhibition, present intimate representations of faith and religion, culture and rituals, life and death, solitude and community. The collective way of seeing a city and space are all informed by each photographer's way of seeing”.

Read more on exhibiting photographers below:

Andile Ndunge, born in Eastern Cape and "Made in Durban," is a self-proclaimed gentleman who expresses his style through photography. He uses drone photography and videography to showcase his visual storytelling, and within fashion as a model, content creator, and wearer of tailored clothing. His life's goal is to depart the world as a decent man after having lived as one too.

Andre Swart is a South African documentary street photographer. His work focuses on observational pieces with a strong interest in architecture, portraiture, and music. He contrasts solitude with bustling interactions and emphasises studying textures, fringes, and societal "Underdogs."

Mandisa Buthelezi is a photographer and film director/producer who was raised in Durban and is currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her work communicates the rural voice and explores notions of identity and spirituality. She is passionate about documenting African culture through visual art, shaping her focus on sustaining culture through photography.

Myllo Menorah is an Industrial/Commercial and Portrait photographer/filmmaker based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. He has worked with the Durban Centre for Photography and has been making images since the 1990s. He is also part of Durban University o f Technology’s Photography Advisory Board and works primarily in commercial photography.

Niamh Walsh-Vorster is an independent photographer, and cultural producer. Niamh has exhibited her photographic work in galleries and public spaces and has published in outlets like Mail & Guardian and The Journalist. She has project managed arts programmes, inclusive of ARTLAB Mentorship programme, Unframed Podcast and is the co-founder of the Contemporary Archive Project.

Paulo Menezes is a Durban-based photographer focused on documentary photography. His work, which often explores Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, reflects his interest in the archiving potential of photography. He co-founded the Contemporary Archive Project, which develops new photographic works that contribute to the KwaZulu-Natal archive. Paulo has participated in residencies and exhibitions both locally and internationally.

Robyn Perros is a South African writer, researcher, and artist. Her work has appeared in New Contrast Literary Journal, Isele Magazine, and The Alchemy Spoon. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Rhodes University School of Journalism & Media Studies. Her photography has been exhibited at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts and presented at international symposiums.

Seraz Abrahams is a self-taught Durban-based photographer whose work spans documentary, street photography, and portraiture. He began documenting religious gatherings at the Soofie Saheb Mosque in 2011 as part of a personal project. His work focuses on capturing shared religious experiences, evoking peace, reflection, and sacredness.

Sibusiso Gcaba is a Johannesburg-based photographer. He studied photography at the Market Photo Workshop and Umuzi, specialising in multimedia. He has exhibited his work locally and internationally, notably at the FNB Art Joburg Fair and the Yaoundé Photo Festival. Sibusiso was a finalist in the Lagos Photo X National Geographic Portfolio Review Award in 2018.

Thobani K (b. 1988) is a freelance image maker from Eskebheni (Inanda, South Africa). His work focuses on sociopolitical issues, particularly water politics. With an academic background in Media and Cultural Studies and Development Studies, he uses photography to explore themes of water pollution, displacement, and gender perceptions in the black community. Thobani was a participant in the ARTLAB Mentorship Programme.

Field Notes exhibition is made possible by the National Lotteries Commission. For more information contact Niamh Walsh-Vorster on www.niamhashling.com .

Written by Lex LaFoy