Durban photographer launches photo memoir

MATTHEW Willman, a Durban-based documentary photographer, author and speaker, will launch his latest book 22 Years on 20 October.

Willman has emerged as one of South Africa’s leading, young, independent artists. He has expressed himself through an extraordinary body of work which has included writing, storytelling and photographic exhibitions. Willman has gained over 20 years’ experience working for some of the world’s foremost institutions in the field of visual communication, development, visual arts and leadership.

A true global citizen, Willman has worked in 42 countries tailoring his inventive brand of communication to the needs of an array of clients which have included Oxfam International, The World Health Organisation, The Nelson Mandela Foundation, The Vodacom Foundation, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Robben Island Museum and The European Commission.

Willman has had the pleasure of being commissioned to photograph individuals from a cross-section of the global community. Commissions include US Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President FW De Klerk, Annie Lennox, 12 Presidents, eight Nobel Laureates and a host of sports personalities, musicians, politicians and philanthropists.

Perhaps one of Willman’s greatest achievements was his significant contribution to the recording of the process of South Africa’s democratic change. This occurred both in his work as a commissioned photographer to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and through 10 years of work with Mr Mandela himself. In 2003 Matthew was commissioned to archive and document the life and times of Nelson Mandela. His collection of work is now central to the Mandela Centre of Memory & Presidential Library in Johannesburg.

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In his new book, Willman presents for the first time under one title a collective of over 280 images selected from his 22 years as a photographer around the world. The book is an extraordinary visual account of a photographer’s lifelong passion to engage with the world. His images go beyond borders, they transcend boundaries exploring in intimate detail the lives of people and places few have ventured to discover. As a photographer Willman is undaunted by the unknown, his work explores the ‘human condition’ wherever it is found. Each image in the book opens up a fascinating world of episodic moments that so many take for granted.

Working with over 65 organisations as a visual specialist in documentary photography, 22 Years showcases the behind the scenes experiences, fleeting moments that go unnoticed, transforming the ordinary and mundane into extraordinary moments captured forever.

This book is a rich tapestry of life, a testimony of one person’s determination to go beyond the confines of his own world to explore a rich cross section of life, genres, cultures, creativity, ability and geography.

The book will retail at R350 and will be available for purchase exclusively at: www.matthewwillman.co.za/books/

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