Fri 11/7 @ 6 – 9pm
Nearly 20 years later after Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected president, South African photographer Dale Yudelman released his project Life Under Democracy. Shot with an iPhone 4 camera, this project was inspired by an Ernest Cole exhibition, Life Under Apartheid, and Yudelman later went on to win the first Ernest Cole award before bringing his talent to Cleveland.
As a fall 2014 resident of Creative Fusion, an international artist residency program, Yudelman has been documenting American life through a Cleveland perspective since September. Some of these experiences will be shown Fri 11/7 at the Waterloo Arts Gallery for Yudelman’s newest project, Knockin’ on Cleveland’s Door, as well as some prints from his South African project, Life Under Democracy.
Yudelman has been able to capture the history of the city in his short time here, as well as its characters, which he says he believes is what makes this city what it is.
“I have been able to relate to redevelopments of the city—Cleveland has been going through some tough times and challenges,” Yudelman says of Cleveland, and adds, “All of my work is a political commentary, in a way.”
Although he admits that the project has been a bit rushed, Yudelman says there is a story behind every picture.
Yudelman was selected as a resident of Creative Fusion, which was founded three years ago by the Cleveland Foundation, because of the quality of his work, as well as “the parallels and differences that could be explored between a very young democracy and one a little older…” according Amy Callahan, the gallery’s Executive Director. Curators and arts organizations in residents’ countries nominate these individuals to partake in Creative Fusion and become a part of Cleveland’s culture. Other countries represented for the fall of 2014 class include Taiwan, Nepal and Chile.
Among his experiences in Cleveland, Yudelman has attended the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Chalk Festival, tasted a Beachland Ballroom brunch and watched Clevelanders cheer on the Tribe. If you were in South Collinwood this fall, you may have seen Yudelman working with Ginn Academy students for a photo workshop, snapping pictures with their phones’ cameras, Yudelman by their side. Each student will have a photograph featured in the gallery on November 7th.
Yudelman notes that he has sparked friendships around the city, including one man who carves walking sticks by Tower City. Yudelman refers to him as “the sort or mayor of downtown,” because he knows everyone, and adds that he will be featured in Yudelman’s latest project. He says his portraiture technique is about making people feel comfortable.
“Photographing on the streets is a bit of a challenge because people are a bit wary,” says Yudelman. “It’s a little bit easier in South Africa. I don’t think people there are as concerned about their public image, or security or terrorism.”
He adds that everyone has been friendly, just a bit more cautious.
As for the Waterloo Arts Gallery, this is their first go-around with a Creative Fusion resident since the gallery’s founding 10 year ago, according to Callahan.
“Not only has it been an enriching experience to learn about South Africa and Dale’s photography,” Callahan says, “but the program has fostered meaningful relationships between Waterloo Arts and other arts organizations, artists and schools in our community that we will build on long after the residency is over.”
Knockin’ on Cleveland’s Door will be a part of the Waterloo Arts Gallery until Sun 11/23. Yudelman will be discussing his work during a “walk about” on Sat 11/15 at 10 am. He will remain in Cleveland for the month, doing studio visits with Cleveland Institute of Art photography students and presenting his work to university and high school students. Before heading back to South Africa at the end of the month, Yudelman will visit friends in Los Angeles, where he previously lived for 10 years until returning to South Africa in 1996.
Photos by Dale Yudelnan & Karin McKenna.