Textual inscription in the work of South African photographer George Hallett from the 1960s to 1980s

Eyene, Marie-Christine (2024) Textual inscription in the work of South African photographer George Hallett from the 1960s to 1980s. PhD thesis, Birkbeck, University of London.

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between text and image in the work of South African photographer George Hallett (1942-2020). It proceeds from the first presence of written signs on the walls of the Cape Town neighbourhood of District Six, in scenes photographed by Hallett in the 1960s at the beginning of his career. It then explores how his interaction with African literature informed image-making processes in his practice as he went in exile in London in 1970. Anchoring my research within discourses on iconography pertaining to the work of black artists and the field of black representation, such as those developed by art historian Kobena Mercer, I am proposing an in-depth examination of Hallett’s pre- and exile work, both visually and through the cross-disciplinary interactions from which it emerged. At the core of my interrogation lies the issue of, how does one fill the gaps overlooked by dominant Eurocentric art histories. Especially as it relates to black or brown artists who have lived and worked in the West, in this instance, London. Equally, how does one fill the missing chapters in South African art history, in the case of artists who lived in exile during the years of apartheid and consequently are subject to a double form of erasure. My thesis seeks to contribute to the production of new art historical knowledge by addressing the underrepresentation of Hallett’s work in a context where it has a legitimate place. It also aims to make this research accessible to British and international audiences through a practical component consisting of an exhibition, a public programme, and an online resource.

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