Photography as an art form can be used very widely. One image is able to capture naturally occurring events, while others are staged to explore the taboo of more difficult subjects.
Justin Dingwall is a South African contemporary artist and commercial photographer who has gained recognition by challenging traditional beauty ideals and exploring their stigmas, especially in the African culture.
He is best known for his fine art series such as: "Rerouted", "Albus", "The seat at the table", and others.
However, his photography can best be described by his own words: “I do what I do for the love of new experiences. My imagery is not bound by language or culture. I want my work to speak for itself and for people to interpret it in their own way. I want people to be affected by my images… As long as someone is feeling something, I am achieving my goals.”
Justin’s latest project is called “Rerouted”, which was a collaboration with fashion designer Roman Handt. It explores the topic of our recent restrictions and how our movement can affect every aspect of our lives.
The artist shares on Instagram that: “Voyaging is largely how society progresses, as humans explore, learn, and find new pathways and livelihoods. We cannot move forward without travel.”
So as you have noticed, Justin’s photography has a deeper meaning within, and we invite you to immerse yourselves in his beautiful works of art, Pandas.
#1
From series: "Fly by night".
"The idea for these images started at a time when South Africa was focused on the issue of xenophobia, which was prominent in discourse all throughout the country. Many people were leaving their homes from outside South Africa’s borders and traveling to find a new place to fit in. For reasons of poverty, lack of work opportunities, etc.. they were looking to find a new “identity” in South Africa. Unfortunately, many local people refused to accept them and they were persecuted. At this stage especially, there was a violent reaction to the influx of foreigners. The media was filled with many violent altercations between the local communities and the foreigners. These people were unable to return to their home countries and were also not accepted in their new surroundings."
Report
39points
#2
From series: "A seat at the table".
"I worked with the old saying “a seat at the table” to represent the idea of an opportunity to be heard, to be seen to have a voice and an opinion, and in this way to make a difference.
The images that I have created with Moostapha aim to start conversations about preconceived ideas and perceptions based on appearance and how what we see affects what we think."
Report
35points
#3
From series: "Albus".
"The discourse about albinism is generally avoided as taboo in the South African context. When discussed, it is usually viewed as negative or as a sought-after “oddity” in fashion and art trends. Justin Dingwall, the photographer, and creator of the series Albus aims for an intimate perspective to foreground the perceptions surrounding albinism.
It began as an interest to capture something not conventionally perceived as "beauty"."
Report
32points
#4
From series: "Fly by night".
"The idea for these images started at a time when South Africa was focused on the issue of xenophobia, which was prominent in discourse all throughout the country. Many people were leaving their homes from outside South Africa’s borders and traveling to find a new place to fit in. For reasons of poverty, lack of work opportunities, etc.. they were looking to find a new “identity” in South Africa. Unfortunately, many local people refused to accept them and they were persecuted. At this stage especially, there was a violent reaction to the influx of foreigners. The media was filled with many violent altercations between the local communities and the foreigners. These people were unable to return to their home countries and were also not accepted in their new surroundings."
Report
31points
#6
From series: "Albus".
"The discourse about albinism is generally avoided as taboo in the South African context. When discussed, it is usually viewed as negative or as a sought-after “oddity” in fashion and art trends. Justin Dingwall, the photographer, and creator of the series Albus aims for an intimate perspective to foreground the perceptions surrounding albinism.
It began as an interest to capture something not conventionally perceived as "beauty"."
Report
30points
#7
From series: "Rerouted".
"This art series is a commentary on our current situation, and the unexpected roads we must navigate. It focuses on travel, and how restrictions on our movement affect every aspect of our lives. From visiting loved ones, going to and from work, and many other activities, travel forms a predominant part of life. Without it, we experience separation and loneliness, financial loss, and retrogression… society just stops."
Report
29points
#10
From series: "Albus".
"The discourse about albinism is generally avoided as taboo in the South African context. When discussed, it is usually viewed as negative or as a sought-after “oddity” in fashion and art trends. Justin Dingwall, the photographer, and creator of the series Albus aims for an intimate perspective to foreground the perceptions surrounding albinism.
It began as an interest to capture something not conventionally perceived as "beauty"."
Report
26points
#11
From series: "Albus".
"The discourse about albinism is generally avoided as taboo in the South African context. When discussed, it is usually viewed as negative or as a sought-after “oddity” in fashion and art trends. Justin Dingwall, the photographer, and creator of the series Albus aims for an intimate perspective to foreground the perceptions surrounding albinism.
It began as an interest to capture something not conventionally perceived as "beauty"."
Report
26points
#12
From series: "A seat at the table".
"I worked with the old saying “a seat at the table” to represent the idea of an opportunity to be heard, to be seen to have a voice and an opinion, and in this way to make a difference.
The images that I have created with Moostapha aim to start conversations about preconceived ideas and perceptions based on appearance and how what we see affects what we think."
Report
25points
#13
From series: "Rerouted".
"This art series is a commentary on our current situation, and the unexpected roads we must navigate. It focuses on travel, and how restrictions on our movement affect every aspect of our lives. From visiting loved ones, going to and from work, and many other activities, travel forms a predominant part of life. Without it, we experience separation and loneliness, financial loss, and retrogression… society just stops."
Report
24points
#14
From series: "Albus".
"The discourse about albinism is generally avoided as taboo in the South African context. When discussed, it is usually viewed as negative or as a sought-after “oddity” in fashion and art trends. Justin Dingwall, the photographer, and creator of the series Albus aims for an intimate perspective to foreground the perceptions surrounding albinism.
It began as an interest to capture something not conventionally perceived as "beauty"."
Report
23points
#15
From series: "A seat at the table".
"I worked with the old saying “a seat at the table” to represent the idea of an opportunity to be heard, to be seen to have a voice and an opinion, and in this way to make a difference.
The images that I have created with Moostapha aim to start conversations about preconceived ideas and perceptions based on appearance and how what we see affects what we think."
"I worked with the old saying “a seat at the table” to represent the idea of an opportunity to be heard, to be seen to have a voice and an opinion, and in this way to make a difference.
The images that I have created with Moostapha aim to start conversations about preconceived ideas and perceptions based on appearance and how what we see affects what we think."
Report
22points
#18
From series: "Albus".
"The discourse about albinism is generally avoided as taboo in the South African context. When discussed, it is usually viewed as negative or as a sought-after “oddity” in fashion and art trends. Justin Dingwall, the photographer, and creator of the series Albus aims for an intimate perspective to foreground the perceptions surrounding albinism.
It began as an interest to capture something not conventionally perceived as "beauty"."
Report
21points
#20
From series: "Fly by night".
"The idea for these images started at a time when South Africa was focused on the issue of xenophobia, which was prominent in discourse all throughout the country. Many people were leaving their homes from outside South Africa’s borders and traveling to find a new place to fit in. For reasons of poverty, lack of work opportunities, etc.. they were looking to find a new “identity” in South Africa. Unfortunately, many local people refused to accept them and they were persecuted. At this stage especially, there was a violent reaction to the influx of foreigners. The media was filled with many violent altercations between the local communities and the foreigners. These people were unable to return to their home countries and were also not accepted in their new surroundings."
"The idea for these images started at a time when South Africa was focused on the issue of xenophobia, which was prominent in discourse all throughout the country. Many people were leaving their homes from outside South Africa’s borders and traveling to find a new place to fit in. For reasons of poverty, lack of work opportunities, etc.. they were looking to find a new “identity” in South Africa. Unfortunately, many local people refused to accept them and they were persecuted. At this stage especially, there was a violent reaction to the influx of foreigners. The media was filled with many violent altercations between the local communities and the foreigners. These people were unable to return to their home countries and were also not accepted in their new surroundings."
Report
20points