South African Photographs: David Goldblatt

July 7, 2010 by cultureID

 David Goldblatt (b. 1930) is one of South Africa’s most highly regarded photographers. As both citizen and photographer, he was witness to apartheid’s infiltration into every aspect of South African life. The exhibition includes 150 black and white photographs by Goldblatt that focus on South Africa’s human landscape in the apartheid and post-apartheid eras. Very precise captions written by the artist accompany each photo in order to convey context and critical information about the image. His photos do not look at the large events or the public face of violence; rather they focus on the world of ordinary people and the minutiae of everyday life, illuminating the depth of injustice and the character of the people who imposed it and who struggled against it. Goldblatt’s Jewish identity is germane to his work. The anti-Semitism that he frequently experienced made him especially sensitive to the deep humiliation and discrimination suffered by blacks under apartheid, informing his artistic vision as well as his attitude toward his country.
 
Through September 19, 2010
 
Exhibition Galleries
Sun 11:00am - 5:45pm
Mon 11:00am - 5:45pm
Tue 11:00am - 5:45pm
Wed Closed
Thur 11:00am - 8:00pm
Fri (3/13/10-11/01/10) 11:00am-5:45pm(EDT)
 

The Jewish Museum
1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street
New York, NY 10128
http://www.thejewishmuseum.org