(Swimming in the ‘Long
Sea’, Diamanthoogte, Koffiefontein, Free State, 2013)
Currently running at the KZNSA
Gallery is an exhibition titled Legacy of
the Mine by Ilan Godfrey, winner of the Ernest Cole Award. The photography exhibition
is also accompanied by Godfrey’s book launch.
While mining has made huge
profits for mine owners and created wealth, it has also left indelible scars on
this landscape - socially, environmentally and healthwise. Many of these
stories lie buried in the landscape much like the waste on the mine dumps that
remind us of their once vital past.
Godfrey’s work makes the central
point that people paid a price to work these mines. He weaves his narrative
through the South African countryside bringing to the fore the hidden stories
never mentioned when statistics and numbers are quoted in director’s
boardrooms.
The accompanying book (published
by Jacana) called Legacy of the Mine,
with a foreword by Sakhela Buhlungu, contextualizes the history of mining in
South Africa, while Godfrey’s images explore the social depths of the industry
beyond its profit and economic contribution.
The Legacy of the Mine
runs in the KZNSA’s Main Gallery until October 13. The KZNSA Gallery is situated
at 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More information on 031 277 1703, fax
031 201 8051 or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsagallery.co.za
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