David Goldblatt

A panorama of the career of South African photographer David Goldblatt, elucidating his artistic commitments, networks, and influence
 
David Goldblatt: No Ulterior Motive coincides with a major traveling retrospective of the renowned South African photographerâs work. From vintage handprints of the artistâs black-and-white photography, taken between the 1950s and the 1990s, to his post-apartheid, large-format, color work, photographs in the volume are approached thematicallyâ"under headers such as âAssembly,â âDisbelief,â âDialogues,â and âExtractionââ"to draw out the artistâs core interests in working-class people, the landscape, and the built environment. Objects from Goldblattâs (1930â"2018) personal archive are also included. In an effort to create a more inclusive dialogue around Goldblattâs work, the catalogue features images and texts by contemporary photographers and scholars, many of whom were mentored by Goldblatt, including Zanele Muholi and Sabelo Mlangeni. Some write on Goldblattâs photographs, while others discuss his influence on their own work. Goldblatt devoted his life to documenting his country and its people. Known for his nuanced portrayals of life under apartheid, he covered a wide range of subjects, all of them intimately connected to South African history and politics. The wide-ranging voices in this catalogue foster a broad frame of reference for his work, thus countering a frequent misunderstanding of apartheid as a situation peculiar to South Africa.
 
Published in association with Fundaci³n MAPFRE, Art Institute of Chicago, and Yale University Art Gallery
 
Exhibition Schedule:
 
Art Institute of Chicago
(December 2, 2023â"March 25, 2024)
 
MAPFRE, Madrid
(May 29, 2024â"September 1, 2024)
 
Yale University Art Gallery
(February 21, 2025â"June 22, 2025)