Practical Photography

Pieter Hugo is currently exhibiting at the Tate in London, but what is he all about?

The Photographer Pieter Hugo is based in South Africa his most famous monographs are Looking Aside 2006, The Hyena & Other Men 2007 and Messina/Musina2007 . He is internationally renouned with exhibitions from the Yossi Milo Gallery in New York to the Gallery Extraspazio in Rome . His work is classed as Contemporary art photography from South Africa in 2006 he won first prize in the 2006 World Press Photo competition in the Portraits section, he was also selected as the Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art in 2007, his exhibition was on tour in South Africa until July this year.

His work is visually stimulating as he follows African people in there natural surroundings following their story with compassion that is conveyed to the observer. His images push boundaries and show the western world true Africa far from the glamourous cape town stories and not as emotive as the horror stories of starving children. Pieter shows real people their struggles their challenges, their success stories without predjudice or propaganda.

His work is well worth a view so pop down to the Tate if you are in the area.