She Bad Bad Exhibition

The French institute of South Africa is proud to support She Bad Bad, an exhibition curated by Fulufhelo Mobadi that spotlights the work of emerging black female photographers in South Africa, taking place at the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg from 19 July to 12 August 2021. IFAS is excited to be supporting this critical contribution to the canon of South African visual culture through the lens of eleven of the country’s most luminous young talent.

As part of the Africa 2020 season, Les Rencontres d’Arles and the French Institute (Paris) awarded Mobadi with the first curatorial research grant – Africa Projects in 2019 for her She Bad Bad project. Currently both Fulufhelo and Lebogang Thlako, one of the featured photographers, are currently in France, preparing to present their work at the critically acclaimed Rencontres d’Arles, annual photography festival.

For this exhibition, Mobadi selected women working with the medium in different ways to tell stories inspired by themes of history, kinship, migration, memory, and loss, while challenging conventional understandings of African female photographic representation and the female gaze. All the works selected for this show give us insight into each photographer’s identity and lived experience portrayed through their unique visual stories. This exhibition is part of a larger research project by Mobadi that highlights the work of African female photographers.

“Every voice deserves to be heard. We are thrilled to support the incredible depth of talent that will be showcased throughout this exhibition, which does the important work of privileging the female gaze in photography”- Selen Daver, Cultural Attaché at the French Institute of South Africa.

She Bad Bad describes women whose photography re-imagines conceptual works of art through lived experiences. These are the “Bad bitches” of the industry”- Fulufhelo Mobadi, Curator.

Contributing Photographers: 

• Puleng Mongale
• Bongiwe Phakathi
• Brittany Zoe Masters
• Nonzuzo Gxekwa (as Carbon Copy)

See the exhibition at the Market Photo Workshop, 19 June – 27 August 2021. The exhibition is free of charge, and strict Covid-19 regulations apply.

Address:

The Market Photo Workshop:

• c/o Market Square
• 138 Lilian Ngoyi St
• Entrance: Margaret Mcingana Street
• Newtown
• Johannesburg