The Norval Foundation has announced a brand-new exhibition – Norman Seeff: Homecoming – celebrating the work of South-African-born photographer Norman Seeff, who went from a medical doctor on the frontlines of apartheid to photographing some of the world’s biggest celebrities.
Set amid the vineyards of the Constantia Winelands, The Norval Foundation is an art museum dedicated to showcasing modern and contemporary art from Africa and the diaspora. Over the years the Foundation has showcased the work of several notable photographers, including David Goldblatt, Zanele Muholi and Berni Searle.
‘We are delighted to take this opportunity to celebrate Norman Seeff’s work and to be able to exhibit iconic images of his that have shaped public consciousness over decades,’ said Norval Foundation’s senior curator, Karel Nel. ‘It is a pleasure to introduce his work to South Africans, and to welcome him home after so many years.’
Born in 1939, Seeff trained and worked as a medical doctor in Johannesburg, before emigrating to America in 1968.
Relocating to New York brought Seeff a career change, and he began working as a graphic designer at Columbia Records where he created hundreds of landmark record covers. By 1975 he had moved to the West Coast, running his own Los Angeles-based studio as an independent photographer, and through a remarkable career he had some of the world’s biggest names in art, music, science and culture in front of his lens: the likes of Mick Jagger, Jane Fonda, Francis Crick, Hugh Hefner, Michael Jackson and Cher.
‘I am truly honoured and thrilled to participate in this Norval Foundation Exhibit. It's an absolute dream to share what I have learned in my five-decade career working with over one thousand world-renowned artists across the disciplines,” says Seeff. ‘I am excited to have this chance to reconnect with my South African roots and to communicate both with friends and the new generation of South Africans. The land of South Africa has a unique energy and will always be a part of the essence of who I am.’
Alongside 35 photographic prints, ‘Homecoming’ at The Norval Foundation will feature a video work dedicated to Seeff’s creative process. ‘Norman Seeff: Homecoming’ opens on September 13, 2024 and will run until February 5, 2025.
Love art? You'll love our insider guide to the best galleries and museums in Cape Town.