BRETT RUBIN, SELF PORTRAIT

The idea behind this self portrait was an undertaking to represent the frame of mind I enter when taking photographs. A different mindset, one of observation and intuition. 

Bio:

Brett Rubin (b.1982) is a photographer based in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Utilising various art historical methods and references while refining contemporary perceptions of the medium, Rubin challenges certain conventions within photography through the use of substrate, form and content. 

Rubin's practice predominantly explores the notions of portraiture and landscape through a central focus in the deconstruction of landscape, the histories that have shaped it, and the way the figure traverses it in a post-colonial and post-modern context. 

Rubin holds an Honours graduate degree in Film, Media & Visual Studies from the University of Cape Town (2005). 

In 2012 Rubin was appointed the official photographer for South African icon Hugh Masekela and worked in this capacity up until Masekela's passing in 2018. 

Highlights of this period include photographing the final two Hugh Masekela album covers, directing two music videos (one a tribute to photographer Alf Kumalo); and having a portrait of Masekela included in the Carnegie Hall collection. He continues to consult and work closely with the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation. 

Over the course of his career as a professional photographer Rubin's work has been exhibited and featured in various capacities, namely, the Design Indaba (2009), Edinburgh International Art and Fashion Festival (2012), Nirox Winter Sculpture Exhibition (2014), NATAAL Africa Utopia Exhibition at Southbank Centre, London (2016), The Villa Show, Johannesburg- curated by Jonathan Freemantle (2018), 'Hugh Masekela in Photographs' at Circa Gallery Johannesburg (2019), 'STIMELA' Market Theatre (2021), 'Home is Where the Music Is' RMB (2022), ‘Alter Nature' Nirox Sculpture Park (2023) 

WEBSITE : www.brettrubin.com 

INSTAGRAM : @brettrubin.studio