Holding space in city’s shadow
Photography
41,5 cm x 59 cm
Artist’s Statement
Captured in Gqeberha, this photograph reflects the quiet strength of informal street traders who carved out space for survival within the city’s neglected margins. Set against a weathered wall layered with graffiti, torn posters and worn textures, the vendor is partly swallowed by a shadow, symbolising the social and economic invisibility faced by many who work in the informal economy.
The plastic shelter, the everyday items on display, and soft light that brushes the edge of the frame all speak to a fragile resilience. This image is not just about a physical stall — it is about the present, and about holding ground in a city that often looks away. Through the stillness, texture, and light, the photography honours the perseverance of people whose labour sustains communities in the background of urban life.
By concentrating on this single figure and their environment, Holding Space in City’s Shadow becomes both a portrait and a pretest — a visual acknowledgement of those who are often unseen, yet undeniably present.
In a city of movement, this still moment reminds us to look closer, to recognise dignity, endurance, and human worth in overlooked spaces. It invites reflection on how cities prioritise profit over people, and urges us to reimagine urban care and justice.
Gallery
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