Thembinkosi Hlatshwawo

b. 1993 South Africa 

Based in Lawley (South Africa)

‘Growing up in a home with a tavern, I have been confronted with realities that made me want to escape the space. My home should have been a place of refuge or safe haven, but it couldn’t be, because it was the extension of the tavern. Maybe my mind was too violated. It became a tricky escape. The violence and schizophrenia of a society would be enveloped in this one space. It was ‘my bread and butter’ – its infamy had it dubbed ‘slaghuis’ – slaughterhouse. 

Loudest in their silence, I confront the unresolved issues I have with the tavern. I confront my violated or perhaps traumatised mind. I confront the memory.’

thembinkosihlatshwawo.onfotomat.com
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Images: 

1-Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo, Slaghuis, 2018, from the series Slaghuis I (2018) © Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo

2-Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo, Untitled, 2018, from the series Slaghuis I (2018) © Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo

3-Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo, Sdakwa, 2018, from the series Slaghuis I (2018) © Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo

Bringing together 66 artists from across the world, Photo Elysée recently celebrated emerging talent with the exhibition Gen Z: Shaping a New Gaze. As media partner, 1000 Words is featuring the work and accompanying texts of all participating artists in our weekly column dedicated to new voices in contemporary photography.