Antony Kaminju (Kenyan, born 1972)
Soweto Party, 2008
Signed ‘signature’ (lower right)
Edition 1/10 photographic digital print
59.4 x 84.1 cm
Ksh 200,000-250,000
(US $ 1,820-2,270)
Sold Ksh 211,320
Provenance: direct from the artist
Antony Kaminju is a photographer from Nairobi who now works between Kenya and Johannesburg. His work is driven by the desire to tell different African stories to those of mainstream media. Previously Kaminju worked as editor and news photographer for the Nation newspaper in Nairobi but sought the freedom to develop photo series at his own pace. Now, as an independent photographer, he seeks to understand and engage with his subjects on a deeper level.
“There may be tears of agony but there are tears of joy. Documenting these elusive moments when our brothers and sisters cry because of joy fascinates me. To me that is a great moment; one that needs to be documented.”
Kaminju’s photographs have been published throughout Africa and Europe. His work has featured in selected exhibitions in South Africa, the Netherlands, Mali and Kenya and part of the collections of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), France and the Wedge Gallery, Toronto, Canada. He currently lectures at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Soweto Party won the Adobe Photo of the Year Award in 2008, and was included in the African Photography Biennale, Bamako Encounters in 2011.