EXHIBITION | Field Notes
Contemporary Archive Project
On 1 November 2024, the Contemporary Archive Project proudly opened Field Notes [an exhibition] at The Chairman in Durban. This event showcased work from the archive, emphasising the power of photography to map personal narratives and explore the nuanced stories embedded in KwaZulu-Natal’s landscapes and communities. The exhibition featured ten photographers who served as explorers of their own stories, offering an Insider’s perspective that subverted the traditional Outsider’s gaze. From the bustling streets of eThekwini to the quiet terrains of Nquthu and Tugela, the exhibition wove together themes of faith, culture, solitude, community, and identity. Through these “field notes,” visitors were invited to reflect on fragility, power, togetherness, and the profound connection we share with the spaces we call home. The diversity of voices and visual styles presented a collective vision, deeply rooted in the photographers’ experiences and insights. Featured photographers included: Andile Ndunge, Andre Swart, Mandisa Buthelezi, Myllo Menorah, Niamh Walsh-Vorster, Paulo Menezes, Robyn Perros, Seraz Abrahams, Sibusiso Gcaba, and Thobani Khumalo. As we look back on this remarkable gathering, we are grateful to all who joined us in experiencing these deeply personal and transformative works. Field Notes reminds us of the enduring power of photography to connect, challenge, and inspire. The exhibition was supported by the National Lotteries Commission and marked a significant milestone in CAP’s ongoing mission to archive and celebrate the visual stories of KwaZulu-Natal. We aim to host annual group exhibitions as the archive grows.
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Hi There, my name is Mandisa

Mandisa Buthelezi is a photographer and film director/producer who was raised in Durban and is currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa. With a vast portfolio that communicates the rural voice, and an appreciation and respect for the culture that has informed her perspective, she is keen on providing photographic and film content that is culturally centered and explores notions of identity and spirituality.

Cataloguing and documenting African culture through visual art has become an important component of her work through assignments.

Hi There, my name is Lindo

Photographer

Growing up in the township of KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal and attending primary school in the same town is one of the strongest memories I have about my neighbourhood. The times I spent with my late grandmother Miss Dombi Chiliza and the people I shared my life with at that moment in time in my early childhood, influence the work I create. “I can’t imagine a world without photography – capturing a unique moment in time that will never be repeated” (Gigi Williams).

Hi There, my name is Niamh

Co-Founder & Programme Director

Niamh Walsh-Vorster is a Durban-based writer, independent photographer, and creative producer. She graduated in 2014 with a BJourn from Rhodes University in Makhanda, South Africa.
Niamh is co-founder and editor of the award-winning e-zine, Ja. Magazine. She has exhibited photographic work in group shows at galleries, and independently in various public spaces. In 2016, Niamh was the recipient of a BASA Arts Journalism Award for her review in Ja. Magazine. She has worked with the Durban Center for Photography under the leadership of legendary AfraPix photographer, Peter McKenzie. She was part of the third Incubator Programme at The Market Photo Workshop, 2017 – 2018 in Johannesburg, mentored by Angela Buckland. More recently, Niamh was project manager of the ARTLAB Mentorship programme, which worked with 30 KZN-based creatives in photography, design, and fashion. She was mentor to 10 emerging photographers.