Pieter Hugo

PHOTOGRAPHER #20.

Website: http://www.pieterhugo.com/
Contact:
Pieter Hugo is represented by:

STEVENSON GALLERY
Ground floor, Buchanan Building, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock,
7925, Cape Town, ZA
T: +27 21 462 1500

YOSSI MILO GALLERY
245 Tenth Avenue (between 24th & 25th St.), New York, NY 10001
T: +1 212 414 0370

COKKIE SNOEI
Mauritsweg 55, 3012 JX Rotterdam
T: +31 10 41 29 274

GALLERIA EXTRASPAZIO
via San Francesco di Sales 16/a, I - 00165, Roma, Italy
T: +39 06 682 10655

Pieter Hugo - 'A Hyena and Other Men' Exhibition review 

When it comes to photography, Pieter Hugo is a master of creepy  (particularly considering he rarely uses sets). Themes of violence, dominance, gore and mutation are common factors throughout his works. When observing Pieter Hugo's portfolio it seems as if his subject/ project choices flow so easily to him - each shoot seems to connect with the previous one in some way . Often the connecting factor between the exhibitions are the emotions that Hugo's work seem to provoke. Whether it be the portraits of his friends digitally manipulated to look as if they are diseased or his shots of Nollywood film stars, Hugo's works are almost always confronting for his audience. 

The title of a recent Pieter Hugo exhibition 'A Hyena and Other Men' implies a human identity in relation to the animal... or perhaps suggesting the opposite?

I personally regard Hyhena's as being one of the most feral (untameable) creatures on this planet. They have a terribly vicious nature. They eat bone matter. They emit putrid smells. They look mangy. However in Image 1 it can be seen that this is certainly not the case, the man is in complete dominance over the animal. The model looks like a force to be reckoned with while the wild beast next to him appears harmless - almost like a loving pet. This could be taken as a statement that humans are perhaps some of the most beast like creatures to roam this planet.