The book Johannesburg Architecture and Heritage by Patrick de Mervelec will be launched at an exhibition that opens on Wednesday 21 August at the Erdmann Gallery. The photographer will be present at the opening.
De Mervelec presents the city of Johannesburg in all its beauty and yet its starkness; its fine detailing and sometimes coarse decorations, its modern freshness and yet its often faded charm – its tragic secrets of political separation and inhumanity and its great hope for its democratic future. He has brought the essence of this great, pulsing, exciting and, for me, crassly beautiful urban conurbation, to life through his lens. This is a book to savour and cherish”. (Neil Fraser, November 2012 )
Born and raised in Paris, France, de Mervelec settled in South Africa fifteen years ago. He has worked with and been influenced by the greatest photographers of his generation. As a young apprentice he studied under French avant-garde photographer Maurice Tabard, who taught him the importance of contrast in black and white photography and of observing the work of earlier painters, sculptors and artists.
In 1982 de Mervelec was invited by Leica to become a member of its prestigious foundation and was part of this group for ten years, along with world-famous photographers Sebastião Salgado, Jean-Loup Sieff, Robert Doisneau, Raymond Depardon and William Klein.
De Mervelec is the author of eight photographic books, Histoires de France – 1789 / 1989, Regards sur l’Afrique du Sud, The Jo’Burgers, Nude Landscape, Looking at South Africa : 1994 – 2004, South African Ballet Theatre, Cul de Sac – my pilgrimage with Johnny Clegg and Johannesburg Architecture and Heritage. He has held numerous exhibitions in France and South Africa.
WHERE: Erdmann Contemporary& The Photographers Gallery za, 63 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town, 8001
CONTACT: T. 021 422 2762 F. E. galleryinfo@mweb.co.za or visit
WHEN: 21 August to 7 September 2013
WALK ABOUT: Patrick de Mervelec will host a walkabout at the gallery on Saturday 24 August at 11:00 am. Kindly RSVP for walkabout to galleryinfo@mweb.co.za
