Thulamela Artwork

Thulamela’s photography collection was built up over many years by one of its former members, Tony Rubens SC, and must rate as one of the finer collections of South African photography.

Tony always believed that photography is an under-appreciated art form in South Africa. This made it possible for him to purchase photographs by top South African photographers at affordable prices. He collected great works by photographers of international repute such as David Goldblatt, Pieter Hugo, Santu Mofokeng and Guy Tillim amongst others.

The collection does not focus on a particular topic or period of time or style. Rather, each photograph was chosen for its own value, in particular the way in which the photographer sought to capture a critical moment in time. This gives it broader appeal in the sense that there is something in it to which most people relate.

The collection has been purchased from Tony by a consortium of Thulamela members and its pieces hang in the corridors and boardrooms of our building.

This is a sample of the collection.