The scene Koto Bolofo operates in has changed significantly since he arrived in London in the early 1960s, a political refugee from apartheid South Africa. From humble beginnings, the self-taught photographer honed his craft and was recognized for his ability to present honest beauty and stunning unexpected compositions. His lack of formal training allowed for a fresh perspective and an ability to create his own narrative.
With a thoughtful and empathetic approach bringing new vision through his lens, Bolofo naturally crosses the genres of photography, delving into photojournalism, documentary, fashion, art and advertising. His imagery and world view gives a sense of timelessness for brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Nike, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Loewe, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Gap, and Levi’s.
Now based in Paris, Bolofo has numerous publications to his name on a wide range of subjects including Venus Williams, Lord Snowdon, Rolls-Royce motorcars, and a voyeuristic 11-volume look behind the closed doors of the notoriously private luxury house, Hermès.
Bolofo is the 2022 recipient of the prestigious Lucie Award for Achievement in Advertising in Photography.
I love using the word “photograph” instead of 'image', 'image' for me is disposable
The first photographer to have ever received a ’carte blanche’ to the
Hermès Maison workshops, South African photographer Koto Bolofo is on a mission to challenge our understanding of craft. Documented over eight years, the resulting ’La Maison’ is a voyeuristic 11-volume look behind the closed doors of a Parisian house who until now, has remained the mysterious dowager of the fashion universe.
The result of a seven-year project, Bolofo’s images showcase the painstaking measures that go into the production of a single Hermès product.
His film work has garnered several awards and featured at a variety of festivals, including the Berlin International Film Festival, the BBC British Short Film Festival, Amnesty International Film Festival, London Film Festival, Venice International Film Festival, Cambridge Film Festival and Cape Town International Film Festival.
Bolofo’s work was never strictly tied to fashion. He’s a visionary who has spent 30 years stepping between the boundaries of his medium. Bolofo has consistently produced iconic images published through different series and books that are absent of the markers of time. Examples of this range from his audacious minimalism in the 1990s, to his striking introduction of colour in ‘Skin’, in which bodies are treated for their formal qualities, sculptural and sublime.
‘His intimacy with his subjects is something you really feel in his work; he works hard to make a connection with his subjects to get to a level of ease and total openness. You see it in the books he makes, like Dreams and Venus: there is an extraordinary level of trust between photographer and subject.’
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