Exhibition Statement 

SA Blues'  – Special Edition

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SA Blues was created with the intention that joy can be had even in the context of poverty. We examine Melissa's Letter and use it as the contextual eyes through which we view SA Blues.

The Time Thief's Log: Reflections from Kliptown
March 2019. Kliptown-Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. My visit began as a simple trip to see my friend Corey Carter, but it turned into an experience that changed me forever. Corey introduced me to Timo "Teemo," whose invitation to volunteer at the Little Rose Centre in Kliptown-Soweto set everything in motion. Over two days, I witnessed a community that embodied resilience, connection, and the spirit of Ubuntu.

On the first day, we walked with the children from school in Eldorado Park back to Kliptown. Eldorado Park, with its modern homes and paved streets, was once designated for South Africa's "Coloured" population during apartheid. Just across the road lay Kliptown's informal settlements, a world of corrugated metal structures and vibrant humanity. The nearness of these two vastly different realities was striking. Walking alongside the children as they navigated this divide left a lasting impression that I couldn't shake.

At Little Rose, the sense of purpose was palpable. Everyone played a role, contributing to the whole like pieces of a well-oiled machine. The rhythm of daily life pulsed through the compound with energy and joy — drums echoing, laughter filling the air, and countless small acts of connection unfolding before me. My camera became an extension of myself as I tried to capture not just what I saw, but what I felt. Ubuntu wasn't an abstract idea here; it was alive in every shared moment.

A few days after my time at Little Rose, Timo shared a letter with me written by Melissa Mothiba, a young woman at the center who was 19 when she penned this central letter. Melissa's letter to Timo, "Poverty Has a Home in Africa," was part of a larger and ongoing conversation between her and Timo. I was fortunate to be able to use this small part of their dialog as a reference for this work, and her words stayed with me, grounding this project in ways I hadn't expected. They offered a perspective that gave these photographs a renewed clarity and purpose.

This Special Edition of SA Blues is my reflection on those two days at Little Rose Centre in 2019 and the impact that time continues to have on me. It features an updated layout and additional images not included in SA Blues Volume 1, which has since been discontinued. Each photograph preserves the strength, beauty, and humanity of Kliptown-Soweto, honoring the people who welcomed me into their lives and showed me the tangible meaning of Ubuntu.
I encourage you to read Melissa's letter, which provides the contextual eyes through which SA Blues Special Edition should be viewed. Her words bring depth and understanding to the images, offering insight into perseverance, communal empathy, and the spirit of Ubuntu that binds us all.

Book details:
SA Blues Special Edition is limited to 20 editions, each individually numbered and signed by the artist. Built to order, meticulously handcrafted on premium Fuji Silk pages, encased in a handcrafted all-wooden box exceeding 10 lbs, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Produced by PixMig, a family-owned business with over 50 years of legacy based in North Macedonia.
"The true weight of poverty lies not on the poor, but on the conscience of the privileged."
 

~ Steven CW Taylor ~