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  • The Usual Suspect

An exhibition by 2014 Gisèle Wulfsohn Mentorship in Photography Recipient, Siphosihle Mkhwanazi

2015

The Usual Suspect explores what happens to a community seeking validation, attainment and normality in Vrededorp – a place also characterised by a substance abundant environment, which impacts on individuals’ life options and choices. Vrededorp has historically been a space that defied the ideology of racial segregation. Presently, it is a diverse community inhabited by individuals facing many struggles to make a living for themselves and their families. Some of the struggles include a life dictated by substance dependence, and often perceived by society as lacking more moral principles. The Usual Suspect confronts stereotypes about substance users, while reflecting on the challenges that the users encounter on a day-to-day basis. It is an insider’s reflection of individuals’ deferred dreams and aspirations, amidst a culture seeking to negatively label and alienate them. Siphosihle Mkhwanazi is the second recipient of the Gisèle Wulfsohn Mentorship in Photography. Market Photo Workshop in association with the family of the late Gisèle Wulfsohn in 2012 established the mentorship. The mentorship is set out as a developmental mentorship; and is seen as an opportunity to continue Gisèle Wulfsohn’s approach and interests in photography. Siphosihle Mkhwanazi was mentored by Jodie Bieber.

About Siphosihle Mkhwanazi

Siphosihle Mkhwanazi was born in 1990. Between 2011 and 2012, Mkhwanazi successfully completed the Foundation and Intermediate courses at Market Photo Workshop. In 2012 he continued with his photography studies at the Market Photo Workshop enrolling for the yearlong Advanced Programme in Photography. He has published locally and been exhibited in-group exhibitions that include Identikit, Spectrum and Show Us Our Land. Mkhwanazi is the second recipient of the Gisèle Wulfsohn Mentorship in Photography and was mentored by renowned South African photographer and 2010 World Press Photo of the Year winner, Jodi Bieber.

About the Gisèle Wulfsohn Mentorship in Photography

The Gisèle Wulfsohn Mentorship in Photography has been developed to provide an emerging photographer the infrastructural support to develop a body of work. The mentorship has been created by the family and friends of the late Gisèle Wulfsohn to honour her memory and her work; and is seen as an opportunity to continue her approach and interests in photography. Wulfsohn dedicated her life and photography to awareness, openness and respect; she worked on issues of democracy, HIV/AIDS and positive sexual identities, social inclusion and gender issues, and maintained a commitment to education and social change. The mentorship is aimed at developing emerging voices that are committed to similar issues.