Artists:
Anesh Magan (South Africa)
Caleb Bjergfelt (South Africa)
Dylan Stephen (South Africa)
Garrett Rainier (South Africa)
Ian Blom (South Africa)
Ilan Ossendryver (South Africa)
Lesedi Goulanka (South Africa)
Michael Raddall (South Africa)
Mike Tarica (South Africa)
Sean Joseph Alabanza (Philippines)
Stephan van Wyk (South Africa)
Tristan Winslow (South Africa)
Unathi Mamane (South Africa)
Zelda Gardner (South Africa)
Curator:
Gontse Mathabathe (AfriSam Curator of Digital Platforms, Zeitz MOCAA)
Concrete and photography share much in common. They are both time capsules that tell stories of buildings, railroads, carparks, prisons, public and private spaces and inherent within is the essence of their interaction with people and society. Like photography today, concrete is ever-present. The endurance and hardening of concrete over time is akin to photography’s ability to stand the test of time. It is, therefore, fitting that AfriSam and Zeitz MOCAA have collaborated to create a unique competition and exhibition for photographers.
Photographers from all walks of life were invited to share their photographic interpretation of themes related to the beauty of concrete. The themes included existing spaces which unveil the extraordinary hiding within the ordinary; abstraction which focused on textures, patterns and textures of concrete; and architecture which explored the juxtaposition of line, dimension and space inglorious symmetry or controlled chaos.
Hundreds of entries were received between May and July 2018. Through the three-month-long judging process, top three winners and an overall winner were handpicked by a panel of judges. The panel of judges included Zeitz MOCAA’s Chief Curator, Azu Nwagbogu; AfriSam Curator of Digital Platforms at Zeitz MOCAA, Gontse Mathabathe; AfriSam’s Head of Marketing, Ebeth van den Berg, Promise’s Marc Watson alongside Johannesburg-based independent artist and activist, Teresa Firmino and Wits Art Museum’s Curator of Education, Leigh Leyde.
The competition culminated into the AfriSam ConCreativity Photographic exhibition which showcases the photographs of the finalists.
Winners were announced at the AfriSam SAIA Awards ceremony that took place at Zeitz MOCAA on Friday, 26 October 2018.
AfriSam has been building history through concrete in Southern Africa for over 80 years. It is not about what concrete makes, but about concrete makes possible. AfriSam is the proud sponsor of concrete for the construction of our museum as well as the sponsor for our audio tours enabling art education and transmission through digital technology.