anotherafrica:

Photo, Soweto by Koto Bolofo

“I found the men with the killer haircuts in South Africa, on a commission from French Vogue Homme International. The Art Director was Phil Bicker at the time, he knew I was South African and he wanted me to go the Black Soweto Township in Johannesburg to get the spirit of the people living there.

He knew my work really well and loved it, but he also knew I had never photographed my countrymen. He thought my portfolio was safe and encouraged me to push myself. This was a real a challenge, and to tell the truth, I was scared.

I feel this tuned out to be one of the best South African shoots I ever did, with vibrant, cutting-edge images that were far from safe!

Phil Bicker and the magazine loved them, and they ran a huge story as at the time, no-one else had done this.

I hope to publish a book on the photographs I did in Soweto.” - Koto Bolofo

Exhibiting currently at Colette Paris with book signing this June 30th | more info