“Urban On My Tongue” is an exhibition that acts as an introduction to the discourse on urban culture in South Africa, as analysed by Linathi Makanda. In collaboration with three photographers from distinct provinces, Makanda aims to explore the cultural atmosphere within these regions. She works alongside these photographers to capture their perspectives and foster a visual dialogue.
Rebecca MarimutuBaltimore/NYChttps://marimutu.com/Instagram: @ebecca_ray
Did you always know you wanted to be a creative and a photographer?
REBECCA: While creativity has always been an integral part of my identity, I didn’t initially know of the possibility of pursuing it as a career. My journey towards becoming a photographer was an unexpected one. I was passionate about painting as a child, stealing my sisters’ acrylic paints and painting behind my mother’s headboard. And although I had been around cameras since I was a child, photography wasn’t the path I had envisioned for myself; I didn’t know how to make it work for me yet.
Matthew J. BaileyWashington, D.C. USAhttps://www.matthewjbaileyart.com/Instagram: @matthewjbailey_
Did you always know you wanted to be a creative and a photographer?
MATTHEW: Subconsciously, I think I’ve always had a connection to art. I remember growing up surrounded by art, especially old family photographs, and I was always enamored by them. From a young age…
Nate PalmerNew York, NYhttps://natelangstonpalmer.comInstagram: @langstonpalmer
Did you always know you wanted to be a creative and a photographer?
NATE: Yeah. I went back and forth for a long time, but when I was a little kid, I wanted to be an artist. When I was four or five, six years old, I always told people I wanted to be an artist when I grew up, but then I wanted to be a firefighter. I eventually came back to art. I started taking photographs when I was probably about 12 or 13, and from there I just had a little point and shoot that I used to take pictures of my friends and family. I was lucky to go to a high school where we had a darkroom and film processing equipment…
Alexander IkhideLondon, United Kingdomhttps://www.alexanderikhide.comInstagram: @alexander_ikhide
Did you always know you wanted to be a creative and a photographer?
ALEXANDER: Not really. I think it was more so when I started secondary school, which is high school over in the States. With all the subjects that a student normally gets involved with, like math, science, english, and all the other subjects, Art was the one subject that really stood out for me. It was something I enjoyed doing. I felt it was not having to have so much pressure on what you make. That was what I remember really drew me to being into art more when I was younger…
Phillip LokenRaleigh, North Carolinahttps://www.kingphill.usInstagram: @kingphill_
