The portrait series was created as a result of wanting to challenge previously edifice ideas of what it means to be black or African in modern society.Both projects started out as an idea about the untold stories of urban black sports culture and black identity. The project highlights South African athletes, people who went through difficult circumstances, the remnants of colonialism and apartheid when sports was seen as a novelty for black people, a “white mans” activity. During those dark times there was little, to no voice by black people for black people. These athletes used sports to give black culture an identity, which we still use as a reference in South African history. The aim with the project is to challenge previously conceived ideas of South African black culture that have social and cultural impacts using clothes that were seen only being worn by only white people.
BIO
Buka Andile is a self-taught photographer born in Johannesburg in 1990. He is currently documenting people and their spaces in the heart of the Johannesburg and Orange Farm as they play a huge role in his work. Buka is inspired by the stories within the communities he travels in and engaging with the locals. Andile Buka is heavily influenced by people’s potential and the interaction that takes place when they come together as one.
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