Contemporary Photography from Africa, with Ekow Eshun
B&H Photography Podcast
Jill Waterman
4.6 • 2K Ratings
🗓️ 30 April 2020
⏱️ 48 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week on the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome journalist, curator, and author Ekow Eshun to discuss his incredible new book, Africa State of Mind.
With more than 250 photographs by fifty photographers, the book is a gorgeous collection of contemporary art photography from throughout Africa. Established artists such as Pieter Hugo and Zanele Muholi are profiled, along with many lesser-known photographers working in (and between) a range of genres. Supported by Eshun’s insightful commentary, the book delves into the unique voices depicting their Africa experience today.
Our conversation begins with the master portrait photographers of the mid 20th century, such as Malick Sidibé, but quickly jumps to the contemporary as we ask about his research for the book, the book’s four intriguing sections, and the common threads that tie together the varied photographers’ work.
"I was really interested in photographers who aren't interested in reality per se… who don't claim that their photos are what is!" Like our conversation, this book offers an introduction to the artists, from Morocco to South Africa, who are utilizing their subjective experiences and particular talents to reimagine what it means to be African. Join us for this informative and enjoyable discussion.
Guest: Ekow Eshun
Photograph © Ruth Ossai
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | You're listening to the BNH Photography Podcast. |
| 0:04.1 | For over 40 years, BNH has been the professional source for photography, video, audio, and |
| 0:08.9 | more. |
| 0:09.9 | For your favorite gear, news, and reviews, visit us at bnh.com or download the BNH app to |
| 0:15.5 | your iPhone or Android device. |
| 0:17.7 | Now here's your host, Alan Whitez. |
| 0:20.5 | Greetings and welcome to the BNH Photography Podcast. |
| 0:23.2 | Today, we're going to be talking about contemporary photography from Africa, specifically, about |
| 0:28.7 | the new book called Africa State of Mine and we're going to be joined by its author, Echo |
| 0:33.3 | Eschund. |
| 0:34.3 | Echo, who's joining us from London via Skype, is a writer, curator, journalist, and broadcaster. |
| 0:39.6 | He's written for publications, including the New York Times, the Financial Times, and the |
| 0:43.4 | Guardian. |
| 0:44.5 | His previous books include Black Gold of the Sun from 2005 and Africa Modern in 2017. |
| 0:51.0 | And of course, he's with us today to speak about his latest book, Africa State of Mine, |
| 0:56.4 | which profiles more than 50 contemporary photographers from the many countries and |
| 1:00.4 | cultures in modern-day Africa. |
| 1:02.7 | Though the book includes a brief timeline of the history, photography, and Africa dating |
| 1:06.6 | back to the late 1800s, all of the photographs featured in the four main chapters of this |
| 1:11.5 | book were taken in the 21st century and most within the last ten years. |
| 1:16.3 | With 250 images and insightful commentary by Echo, this gorgeous book brings together |
| 1:21.3 | a generation of African photographers from a range of genre to share their diverse |
... |
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