Sabelo Mlangeni, The Royal House of Allure, detail, Lagos Biennial 2019.
Born Driefontein, South Africa (1980), lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa
The Royal House of Allure 2019
Photo Series
Courtesy of the artist
The series The Royal House of Allure was created during Sabelo Mlangeni’s six-week stay in the safe house of the same name for members of the queer community in Lagos Mainland. The photos document in a mostly very intimate way excerpts of the daily lives of the residents who live there together for different reasons but mostly to be safe in a city of extremes. Their images are just as diverse as the people. Some actively pose in front of the camera, some don’t even seem to notice it. When put together, the photographs paint a picture of a place where love, acceptance and a sense of community prevail. In his community portraits, Sabelo Mlangeni draws attention to beauty, affection and the everyday in unexpected places. Individuals are portrayed in both calm and exuberant states. Capturing such intimacy is only possible because Sabelo Mlangeni spends a long time with the people he photographs to ensure that they are portrayed in all their complexity.
