Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo

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
instagram.com/thembinkosih15

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 celebrates emerging talent with the touring exhibition Gen Z: Shaping a New Gaze, currently on display at Fotografie Forum Frankfurt, Germany, until 30 August 2026. 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.