Mikhael Subotzky (South African, b. 1981) “The Mallies Household, Rustdene Township, Beaufort West”, 2006, chromogenic color print
Selected by Ryan Bianchi
Bright yellows, greens and oranges give the illusion that the tone of this photo might be a happy and playful one, and perhaps in reality, it is. However, as a viewer, it is difficult to know this and only with the interactions and doings of these subjects can one form an opinion on what is taking place. There’s what looks to be an open bottle of wine or some other type of alcohol on the table as well as a cloud of smoke either from a cigarette or something more sinister. From the looks of it, the scene is of a household with apathetic parents leading from a series of bad examples. A girl who can’t be more than twelve or thirteen is seen smoking and sharing something with the outstretched hand reaching for a taste. Amongst this hazardous behavior is a child who seems to be neglected by its mother as it sits helplessly in her arms. The room in which this all takes place is dilapidated and forsaken giving testament to the idea those in a lower socio-economic environment lead a more imprudent way of life than those who are more fortunate.