Of Soul and Joy Photography Project South Africa

Invited by the Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation, Of Soul and Joy presents, from 4 July to 6 September 2020 at Croisière, Arles, a selection of thirty photographs by the project’s young South African photographers and their mentors, Jabulani Dhlamini - represented by the Goodman Gallery in South Africa - and Thandile Zwelibanzi. The photographers are Sibusiso Bheka, Jabulani Dhlamini, Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo, Litha Kanda, Vuyo Mabheka, Lunathi Mngxuma ,Thobeka Nzwana and Thandile Zwelibanzi. The artistic and social programme Of Soul and Joy is a platform for learning photography initiated by Rubis Mécénat in 2012 in South Africa. This creative platform aims at promoting exchanges between photographs from different horizons. After a first participation in the Rencontres d’Arles festival in 2017, the photographers are invited back this Summer to take part in the cultural momentum in Arles. This exhibition will also unveil video portraits of Jabulani Dhlamini and Thsepiso Mazibuko, Of Soul and Joy photographer and a laureate of the 2018 Prince Claus Award. These portraits are part of the ART(ist) series by Alexander Murphy, produced by Rubis Mécénat. The exhibition addresses diverse topics, spanning the personal, familial and political, thus illustrating the complex intersection between education, culture, and identity specific to South Africa. Through the mentorship offered by the Of Soul and Joy programme, the students have and continue to develop an important testimonial on the realities of township life and its present-day challenges. rubismecenat.fr