Andrew Tshabangu

Andrew Tshabangu
Andrew Tshabangu
Born	28 November 1966 Dube, Soweto
Nationality	South African
Known for	Photography

Andrew Tshabangu (born 28 November 1966) is a South African photographer who was born in Dube, Soweto. Tshabangu is known for his social photographic work that is often shown in black-and-white. Which was shown in a largescale retrospective entitled Footprints at Standard Bank Gallery from February to April 2017, and which was accompanied by a book publication.

Early life

Andrew Tshabangu was born on November 28, 1966, in Dube, and Soweto, South Africa. He was raised in a family with four siblings—three brothers as well as one sister, who has since passed away—Tshabangu’s roots are tied to both his mother’s heritage who is from Rustenburg. His father’s origins in the Vaal. He received his early education in Soweto, attending Thabisang Primary School and Phefeni Senior Secondary School.

Career

As many Artists often do, Andrew Tshabangu had the desire to expand his talent delving into the exploration other professions, as photography was a later passion he become loyal to. Tshabangu shared his experiences his influences that came from his roots in the city of Johannesburg, his knowledge with many of his students, he began teaching in numerous institutions, both being schools as well as theatre. Thus, furthering his career and interest in the dramatic arts, many of them particularly being the University of the Witwatersrand. While this dream of being enrolled in this program did not come to fruition he continued to explore the of possible career paths, such as applying to be in a seminary to study priesthood or a banker.

Artist Influence

Presently, Tshabangu’s talents are not only fueled by his deep rooted passion for his photography but for his commitment to capturing the very essence of urban life and ordinary people he focuses particularly on those in townships. His gifts strengthened, through peer influence, tracing back to 1990, from a community that had given him visual literacy and a true understanding of the photographic practice this community is known as the Alexandra Community Art Centre. He began his transition in teaching youth through a youth photography workshop. And working from a period of 8 months under an independent contract working at an organization known as New Nation as well as he worked with one youth workshop he became involved with another-work shop known as Market Photo Workshop. He has contributed to the development of photography mentoring many emerging artists as well as having general influence specific locations have been in East Africa like Kenya and Ethiopia and South African locations like Mozambique in local galleries in London his work is on an international scale of many publications, workshops and exhibition's.

Exhibitions

As we delve further into Andrew Tashabangus work, we can observe how much of his photography is reflective of South African and African themes. The imagery becomes compelling, Tshabangu highlights the importance in the role of photography in documenting the African experience, once again shedding light on critical issues within the African American societies. His art serves as a powerful tool to a voice to enact social change.

Books

• Footprints
• Johannesburg Transitions

Publications

• Godby, Michael (ed.) (2017) Incomparable: The Art of Andrew Tshabangu in Context. Johannesburg: Fourthwall Books, ISBN 978-0-9947009-2-6.