Joanne Roodt
"Being behind the camera is where I feel the most competent - not in any technical aspect at all, but in a way that I feel I am able to make my subject feel comfortable and at ease. That has always been my priority. Photography to me represents such a vulnerable state of being. Because a lot of my work focuses around nudity and the human body, so much of my practice has become about not the work itself, but the safe space I need to create. The actual imagery comes second. My first serious body of work I made consisted of only self portraits, primarily where I was nude, which was a really uncomfortable process for me. But that uncomfortability turned into a sense of power and confidence which I still carry with me. I hope to create spaces with my work where other people can feel that same sense of empowerment in their own skin."
Troye Alexander
Troye Alexander (1990) is a self taught film photographer based out of Johannesburg who has participated in a number of exhibitions amongst some being: Shutterland - Rand merchant bank (2022) alongside Roger Ballen, This kind of light - Koop gallery (2024), their closets; their closets (part 1) - Transwerke (2024).
Troye Alexander specialises in utilising a range of film photography techniques. He is fascinated by the versatility and possibilities this medium offers for his work. Having spent most of his life in a deeply conservative community, Troye's perspectives on faith, sexuality, relationships, and global viewpoints were shaped by traditional norms and values. However, he seeks to challenge and evolve his own beliefs on these subjects. His aim is to reframe his narrative, addressing his personal trauma, reconciling his identity, and enlightening others in the process.
Sophie Smith
Sophie is a lifestyle photographer whose creative journey mirrors her personal evolution. Since becoming a mother, she has embarked on a path of introspection and healing while documenting motherhood and the tender moments of her children’s lives. Her personal life and her commercial client work for mothers has fuelled her fascination with the intimate dynamics between women, children, and the natural world, particularly the healing properties of water.
Kwei Shun-Yu 桂順禹
I’m Kwei, a picturetaker. I’m 25 years old. I was born in Chongqing, China but have travelled extensively in my life, spending a lot of time in Hungary especially. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and am now doing an MA in documentary filmmaking at the University of Cape Town.
My work primarily but not exclusively focuses on discovering street life through photography, and I also make documentaries.
For the main part my work is concerned with details, prediction(the capacity to guess what will happen next second) and narrative. I attempt to create non-fiction narratives and present them for viewers to interpret. I want to call people to observe and question the things around us.
Photography allows me to discover and situate myself in spaces we tend to overlook. I am called to street photography for this reason: to see the unseen and challenge ways of seeing.
I am influenced by photographers such as Joel Meyerowitz, Garry Winogrand, Alex Webb, Diane Arbus, Mark Cohen, and Martin Parr; as well as sociologist, Erving Goffman.
I strive to make controversial pictures which challenge conventional notions of what is considered beautiful. Perhaps I’m in search of the beauty of imperfection in the digital world where so often we only find good-looking self-presentation.
