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Frank Malaba has graced our pages on so many levels as an artist extraordinaire. In this issue, we discover his photography, touching our souls. The Atlantic Seabord plays the backdrop to images that reflect Malaba's spirit, and Garden Spices is invited to this capture. Gate open - Victorine
Artist Statement:
When I think of the space we occupy as humanity, it's a space that is filled with a culture of ritualistic behaviour at any given time. By rituals, I mean not just ceremonial practices but the everyday acts we perform out of habit or necessity, which, over time, reflect our identity and culture. In the mundane, we become entangled in the business of living so that we forget to stop and marvel at the intricacy and simplicity of life in equal share.
Here, in this body of work, I attempt to capture a fraction of a millisecond in the lives of ordinary folk I encounter in their state of ritual along the Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town. They're from all walks of life but are brought into this place of ritual by the presence of the ocean. This dance, this shared moment in time, reflects my journey of seeking connection and understanding through photography, where I am both an observer and a participant in these fleeting moments of ritual.
My approach involves capturing these moments with a focus on our proximity to the ocean—its rocks, its vastness, and the comfort and familiarity it provides in accommodating human behaviour. I use the natural environment of the Atlantic Seaboard to frame human rituals, highlighting their timelessness. What struck me most was that during my ritual of walking and photographing, I found myself in a dance, if you will, with others who chose the same times to be by the ocean's side.
Through this body of work, I invite viewers to pause, see the extraordinary in the ordinary, and perhaps reconsider the rituals in their own lives with a newfound appreciation for their significance.
Prints for all images: 109.4cm x 84cm in size. (That's 43.07 inches x 33.07 inches)
Artist Biography:
I am Frank Malaba, a photographer who encapsulates the poetry of human life through my lens. Born in the highveld savannah of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, my journey has taken me through the vibrant landscapes of Cape Town, South Africa, to the serene fjords that I now call home in Oslo, Norway.
My work delves into the essence of daily existence, capturing with a keen eye the simplicity and beauty in mundane moments. My photography weaves a connection between my creative process and the lives I portray, crafting a visual narrative that resonates with the rhythm of both individual and collective life.
Through my images, I invite others to pause, to truly see and appreciate the often-overlooked moments, celebrating our shared human experiences while prompting reflection on the common threads that define who we are.
Frank Malaba
Artist | Storyteller
Cell [Norway]: +47 484 06 086
Cell [South Africa]: +27 76 284 1823
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Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu - I Am Because You Are