Monday, January 27, 2014

FANTASMAS









These photographs are from a South African creative mind called Ralph Ziman. This is the first time he's exposed to the gallery world, although he's worked before as an director for numerous known artists. For this project called "Ghosts" he commissioned several artisans working on the streets of Johannesburg to create beaded sculptures of AK-47s, crafted in the traditional Shona style, and did a photo shoot of the creators with their work.

Besides all the beautiful colors and contrasts, the photographic series brings an interesting political connotation: Ghosts prods the viewers to learn more about the arms trafficking industry from powerful, foreign nations to Africa and the violence and injustice it has bred. 

The Ghosts photo series and Ziman’s collaborative sculptures will debut as a solo show of the same title at C.A.V.E. Gallery in Venice, CA on February 8. The proceeds from the show are going to Human Rights Watch. The photos have also been making appearances as street art pieces in Ziman’s adopted home of Los Angeles. 

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