“Beyond The Lens: The Inside Story” at Gallery F is a photographic exhibition of South Africa’s Visual History — opening on 4 September 2025 as part of the Cape Town Photography Festival.
The Inside Story, an unprecedented exhibition showcasing the power of photography to preserve and shape South Africa’s history.
Spanning around eight decades from the 1940s to the present, this carefully curated collection captures defining historical moments, intimate glimpses into everyday life, and the striking beauty of South Africa’s landscapes, all rendered in the depth and texture of analogue film.
The exhibition is a tribute to the photographers whose endless work has chronicled the resilience, triumph and human connection that define South Africa. Visitors will encounter stories that continue to influence our understanding of the nation’s past and present, ensuring that these narratives remain part of our shared cultural heritage.
Featuring a range of contemporary fine art photography, to rare vintage hand prints and significant works from some of the country’s most remarkable image-makers, Beyond The Lens includes pieces by: Billy Monk, Jurgen Schadeberg, , Paul Alberts, Juhan Kuus, Jodi Bieber, David Lurie, Gunther Komnick, Pierre Crocquet, Roger Ballen, Roy Zetisky, Ginger Odes, George Hallett, James Soullier, Cloete Breytenbach, , Obie Oberholzer, Gavin Furlonger and David Levine
“Beyond The Lens is more than an exhibition – it’s an intimate conversation with our history,” says Sean Furlonger. “Each image is a chapter in a larger story about identity, memory and the endurance of the South African spirit.”
Whether you are a seasoned collector, a lover of photography, or simply curious about South Africa’s footprint. Beyond The Lens offers a rare opportunity to engage with work that is as culturally important as much as it is visually striking.
About Gallery F
Gallery F is dedicated to sharing and preserving the story of South Africa through it’s vast collection of photography. Showcasing both vintage and contemporary works spanning over eight decades, the gallery offers a space where anyone from first-time visitors to lifelong photography lovers, can explore images that capture the country’s culture history and magnificent photographic imagery. Their mission is to ensure that these photographs, and the stories that unfold, remain accessible and meaningful for generations to come.
WHAT: Beyond The Lens: The Inside Story
WHERE: Gallery F, 78 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town, 8001
WHEN: 01 September 2025 – 15 October | Mon-Fri :10am to 4pm, Saturdays by Appointment |
INFO: E: info@galleryf.co.za / sean@galleryf.co.za | VISIT | IG: @furlongergallery
