Pieter Hugo is a South African photographer who has won prizes for his distressing images of some of the continents most marginal people. Hugo was born in South Africa, yet being white he has encountered similar experiences of being labelled an outcast, similarly to the subjects of his photography. I found an article on the Guardian website, where Hugo explains he is drawn 'to that which we do not want to look at, be it the old or the terminally ill or the marginalised'.
Hugo's best known work includes the project above; 'The Hyena & Other Men' and 'Looking Aside', but Hugo has also explored matters such as Aids victims in their coffins and mass slaughter in Rwanda. Although his images are unsettling, I cannot help but be drawn to them, particularly because I see them as very stark and honest. It is very inspirational to see a photographer documenting real life and creating awareness of people in society that are generally overlooked.
The Hyena Men of Nigeria are a feared group, who live on the edge of society, creating havoc, and also entertainment with wild animals; hyenas, snakes and monkeys. Hugo tracked them down and photographed them before and after their 'circus' type acts, witnessing much cruel treatment of the animals, as well as the experience of living with a group that society feared. I would highly recommend reading the Guardian article about Pieter Hugo and his experiences with the Hyena Men as well as his accomplishments. The link is posted below.
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