Created in 2019, the 25th anniversary of President Nelson Mandela's inaugural address, the Attached to the Soil project began with a series of fifty photographic portrait tableaus by the American photographer and MSU Professor of Art, Peter Glendinning, created during his service as a Fulbright Scholar in South Africa. Each was the result of collaborations between him and two others. First, a young person whose soil related metaphor conveyed their sense of some aspect of the nation that they will inherit from past generations. Also, a portrait subject who shared stories from their lives related to the metaphor.

As South Africa moves into the next 25 years of its development, the collaborators hope that the project can serve as a means of reflection on its youths' aspirations for the nation.

The fifty portraits and their accompanying stories were published in an exhibit catalog (see the lovely cover above!) to accompany the exhibits at six South African university art galleries, where it is available for purchase to support ongoing programs. 

See the art gallery locations and exhibit dates.

Foreword

Read the foreword to the Attached to the Soil catalog, by Dr. Adam Habib, South African political scientist, activist and current Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

"South Africa comprises a people who want to belong, who desire unity, and want to live in peace with their neighbours whatever their identity, cultural expressions, or historical trajectory"

Photographic Portrait Tableaus

A sample of twenty of the fifty projects completed by South African university students, their collaborators, and Professor Glendinning

Arranged by first name of portrait subject, A-Z

Copyright 2019 by Peter Glendinning: all rights in all media reserved, no reproduction without express permission of the photographer.