Artist in Process
Documenting Lebohang Kganye for Fotografiska, Berlin
Hey wonderful people,
Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to work with Lebohang Kganye, a visual artist and photographer from Johannesburg, South Africa, on her debut solo touring exhibition at Fotografiska.
This project meant a lot to me for two reasons. For about three years, I had hoped to work with Lebohang and document her creative process. I also dreamed of showing work at Fotografiska. Before I get into that, let me tell you a bit about Lebohang’s work.
About Kganye
Lebohang uses photography, video, and mixed media to create art that weaves together history, research, storytelling, and personal experience, often in sculptural installations. Her last name comes from the Sotho word for light, ‘kganya.’ Shining a light on complex postcolonial histories is a key part of her work.
Kganye is featured in MoMA New Photography 2025. Her recent solo touring exhibition, Le Sale ka Kgotso, debuted at Fotografiska, Berlin (2025), and features newly commissioned work. She is the recipient of the 2024 Deutsche Börse Foundation Prize for her solo exhibition at Foam (2023). Other notable recent awards include the ICP Infinity Award (2025), the Foam Paul Huf Award (2022), and the Camera Austria Award (2019).
Photography has always been about this tool of evidence, but it is also the tool of the imaginary.
Fotografiska & I
In 2019, I had the pleasure and privilege of travelling to Sweden as part of an artist exchange program with the Swedish Institute. During the program, I connected with local artists in Sweden and with artists and changemakers across Africa, many of whom I’m still in touch with to this day.
One of the moments I remember fondly was visiting Fotografiska in Stockholm for the first time. I was so impressed and inspired by the existence of a dedicated space for sharing the medium of photography. Whilst looking around, I said to myself: “One day I’m gonna showcase my work at Fotografiska”.
Fast forward 6 years, and I’m working with Fotografiska to archive and document the work of one of South Africa’s most celebrated contemporary artists. I spent time with Lebohang during the making of her body of work, “Le Sale ka Kgotso,” meaning “stay in peace” in Sesotho. My approach as a filmmaker is very organic: I wait for moments to reveal themselves instead of forcing them, allowing the artist to operate freely. I approach documentation like a street photographer, letting the scene unfold naturally. This process works best when the artist trusts you, and Lebohang and her team gave me that. It’s always special to be a part of archiving a moment in an artist’s life. I’m grateful to Anna, Lebohang and the team from Fotografiska (Shailyn & Jessica) for trusting me with the project.
To find out more about Lebohang’s exhibition at Fotografiska, follow the link below: https://berlin.fotografiska.com/en/exhibitions/lebohang-kganye
Peace and love!