Pieter Hugo is a 44-year-old South African photographer born in Johannesburg, now based in Cape Town. Being a white African man and struggling to fit in, his subject of interest is Africa. He is well-known for exploring marginalized communities in Africa through his stark and provocative photography art.
The albinos, the blind, people with AIDS, the elderly, Ghanaian honey collectors, workers at the electronics dumpsite on the outskirts of Accra in Ghana, actors in the Nigerian movie industry known as Nollywood, Nigerian hyena handlers, and children who survived the 1994 Rwandan genocide are all among the subjects of Hugo’s almost two decades of work.
His candid portraits show the world around him addressing culture, issues of class, identity, and privilege. The photographer described his work to Bored Panda as “direct, engaged, scrutinizing.” We’ve collected the best of his powerful images. Don’t forget to tell us what you think in the comments!
More info: pieterhugo.com | Instagram
#1 Abdulai Yahaya, Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana, 2010, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#2 Loyiso Mayga, Wandise Ngcama, Lunga White, Luyanda Mzantsi And Khungsile Mdolo After Their Initiation Ceremony, Mthatha, 2008, “Kin”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#3 Mallam Galadima Ahmadu With Jamis, Nigeria, 2005, “The Hyena And Other Men”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#4 Pieter And Maryna Vermeulen With Timana Phosiwa, “Messina/Musina”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#5 Abdullahi Mohammed With Mainasara, Ogere-Remo, Nigeria, 2007, “The Hyena And Other Men”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#6 At A Traffic Intersection, Johannesburg, 2011, “Kin”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#7 Naasra Yeti, Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana, 2009, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#8 Garuba Yawu With Mora, Ogere-Remo, Nigeria, 2007, “The Hyena And Other Men”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#9 Yakubu Al Hasan, Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana, 2009, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#10 Agbogbloshie Market, Zakaria Salifu, Accra, Ghana, 2010, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#11 Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana 2009, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#12 Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana, 2010, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#13 Paul Ankomah, Wild Honey Collector, Techiman District, Ghana, 2005, “Wild Honey Collectors”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#14 Aron Twala, Vrede, 2006, “Looking Aside”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#15 Regina Kambule, Johannesburg, 2003, “Looking Aside”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#16 South Africa, 2016, “1994”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#17 Rwanda, 2014, “1994”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#18 Rwanda, 2014, “1994”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#19 Rwanda, 2015, “1994”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#20 Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana, 2010, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#21 Dayaba Usman With The Monkey Clear, Nigeria, 2005, “The Hyena And Other Men”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#22 The Hyena Men Of Abuja, Nigeria, 2005, “The Hyena And Other Men”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#23 South Africa, 2015, “1994”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#24 Abdulai Yahaya, Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana, 2010, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#25 Mummy Ahmadu And A Snake Charmer With A Rock Python, Abuja, Nigeria, 2005, “The Hyena And Other Men”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#26 Nura Garuba And Friend With Their Monkey, Abuja, Nigeria, 2005, “The Hyena And Other Men”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#27 Martin Kofi, Wild Honey Collector, Techiman District, Ghana, 2005, “Wild Honey Collectors”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#28 Issaku Moses, Agbogbloshie Market, Ghana, 2009, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#29 Al Hasan Abukari, Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana, 2009, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
#30 Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana, 2010, “Permanent Error”
Image source: Pieter Hugo
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