In this episode of the David Krut Podcast, Mthabisi Sithole speaks to Lebo Thoka about her venture into fine art photography, the difficult subject matter in her photographic series, and her thoughts on entering the fine art realm. Lebo Thoka identifies as a Feminist which has managed to manifest itself into her first fine art body of work It is well: An Ode to Karabo.
It is well: An Ode to Karabo is the first solo exhibition by artist photographer Lebo Thoka. This exhibition is hosted at the David Krut Bookstore & Gallery location – THE BLUE HOUSE – 151 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood in 2018.
The exhibition tackles issues of gender based violence in South Africa. Thoka adds a performative element in her work as they are self-portraits. She inserts herself into these women’s narratives by using symbolic objects relating to their stories. This is an added layer of meaning where the beauty of the image is juxtaposed by the sudden realisation of the violent story. Thoka’s springboard for the series is deeply rooted in identity. Thoka identifies with each woman she represents, despite their varied social, political and racial identities, and has used her work to be a voice for all women highlighting the shared experience of gender based violence; which is a global issue at large.