Documentary photographer, Leah Hawker.
Image: Image supplied
Woodstock documentary photographer Leah Hawker is exploring the historical Madeiran-Portuguese culture in her exhibition called, Little Madeira, Woodstock, 7925, which opened on Saturday March 29 at the South African National Gallery Annexe in the Company's Garden in the city centre.
The photographic essay delves into the rich history and vibrant culture of the Madeiran community of Woodstock. This project was funded in part by the National Arts Council, which operates under the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
According to Ms Hawker, Little Madeira, Woodstock, 7925 is a photographic documentary project and study on the Madeiran Portuguese who left their small island in the North West Atlantic Ocean and settled in Woodstock between 1900 and 1980.
The documentary photographs cover themes within the fishing industry, extraordinary traditional embroidery, social and religious events, historical documents, a history of the Cape Town harbour, individual and family stories, traditional food and dance.
Ms Hawker describes this exhibition as an uplifting, unusual and niche story. “I fell in love with and undertook (the project) out of a deep curiosity and a strong sense that something lay beneath.”
She has been working on this project for 15 months and started independently but received a small National Arts Council grant about halfway through.
She says she was drawn to this project when she, as a Woodstock resident, admired her neighbour’s Christmas light display. “A few years back I finally met her and was invited into her home. The rest is history,” she says.
Her exhibition will feature a selection of over 160 photographs from the body of work she accumulated in over a year.
The Little Madeira, Woodstock, 7925 exhibition is free to enter and will run until Sunday April 27. There will be parking for visitors to the South African National Gallery Annexe Building in St Johns Street directly opposite Vrede Street.
For more information contact Ms Walker at 083 340 7872 or leah@leahhawker.co.za or follow her on Instagram on @leahhawker_photographer
A nativity scene in a home from a Woodstock resident with Madeiran heritage.
Image: Leah Hawker
Standing inside their Fish4Africa shop in Woodstock is the Moniz family with Madeiran heritage. From left are Nicolette Weitsz, Maxine O Connor , Ella Rose Weitsz, Taylia De Freitas, Sidonio Moniz, Olivier O Connor, Capryce De Freitas and Antoinette Moniz.
Image: Leah Hawker