Pieter Hugo's latest series, 'Kin,' explores the intersectionality of race, social status, economic devastation and human sexuality in South Africa, a place he refers to as "fractured, schizophrenic, wounded and problematic."
Though the photographs are fraught with the trauma of colonial context, the entire series manages to retain an air of serenity, achieved through Hugo's calming relationship with the subject and his own lens. Each subject's vulnerability and truth is expressed, regardless of who they are.
Describing his project, Hugo explains, “[Kin] is an engagement with the failure of the South African colonial experiment and my sense of being ‘colonial driftwood.' [South Africa] is a very violent society and the scars of colonialism and apartheid still run very deep. Issues of race and cultural custodianship permeate every aspect of society, and the legacy of forced racial segregation casts a long shadow.”
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Intersectionality of Race, Social Status, Economic Devastation, and Human Sexuality
- Disruptive innovation opportunities could arise in industries that address the complex and interconnected issues of race, social status, economic devastation, and human sexuality.
- Photography as a Tool for Exploring Post-colonial Trauma
- The field of photography could find disruptive innovation opportunities in using the medium to explore and shed light on the lasting effects of colonialism and its traumatic impact.
- Addressing the Scars of Colonialism and Apartheid in Society
- Industries that work towards addressing the scars of colonialism and apartheid can create impactful and transformative innovations that contribute to healing and reconciliation.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Photography
- The field of photography could leverage new technologies and approaches to explore and document the lingering effects of colonialism.
- Social Justice
- The social justice industry can play a crucial role in addressing the intersectionality of race, class, and sexuality in post-colonial societies.
- Healing and Reconciliation
- Industries focused on healing and reconciliation can develop innovative strategies and interventions to address the deep scars of colonialism and apartheid.
