Tierney Fellowship workshops in Johannesburg

Recent Michaelis masters student and part-time teacher, Vanessa Cowling and her mentor Svea Josephy, attended the Tierney Fellowship workshops in late October in Johannesburg. This event was hosted by Market Photo Workshops (MPW) and the Wits School of Arts (WSOA). The fellows from MPW, Simphiwe Fuwe Molefe and WITs Mzwanele Tshishonga joined Vanessa in presenting their work to Natasha Christopher, Loysio Oldjohn and Bekie Ntini. They also presented their work to previous fellows Tsepo Gumbi, Tshepiso Mabula, Thandile Zwelibanzi, Boitumelo Motau, Manyatsa Monyamane and Sibusisio Gcaba. Previous fellows of the Tienrey fellowship remain in the fellowship to provide support and guidance to the new fellows.  Later Invited guests including photographers Andrew Tshabangu and Jabulani Dhlamini and academics Dr. Kholeka Shange, Prof. Thembinkosi Goniwe and Sikhumbuzo Makandula (all from Rhodes University).

The Johannesburg Tierney fellowship critique sessions are an opportunity for the new fellows to get input and direction into their project during the early stages and an opportunity for networking, inter institutional cooperation and social interaction. The next workshops will be hosted by Michaelis in Cape Town in late January 2024 and Jean Brundrit, Vanessa’s other mentor will attend along with invited guests.