Creative Conversations: Christine Eyene on George Hallett (1942-2020)

The influence of George Hallett (1942-2020) on contemporary photographic histories exists beyond the material product of his work; his collaborations and conversations with artists and authors serve as an example for artists whose interests are rooted in navigating diasporic influence on global social and cultural movements.

Eyene will discuss her recent writing and research on Hallett’s extensive oeuvre, describing his influence on her curatorial practice.

George Hallett is largely recognized for his documentary photographs of South Africa’s District Six Area before and during the apartheid era, his intimate portraits of South African jazz musicians, and his explorations of and contributions to African literature through photography. Born in Cape Town, Hallett began his career as an amateur photographer by following his love for jazz–photographing live performances by foundational musicians in South Africa. During the apartheid era, Hallett followed exiled musicians, writers, and creatives to London, where he continued to document the people, places, and cultural happenings rooted in South African music and life.