The title of his dissertation is An Evolution of Surreal Photomontage within South African Myth and Folklore.

Conrad cleverly constructed eighteen images through a photomontage that incorporates dozens of photographic layers merged together to create an evolution different from the original pieces.

“The subject chosen is myth and folklore, with origins in Southern Africa and in different African languages. This could be in the form of an oral story, idiom or metaphor portrayed through implanted symbolic messages that can assist the viewer to interpret the overall narrative,” says Conrad, who was exposed to multiculturalism from a young age.

Conrad spent most of his childhood abroad because his father was a diplomat. “After starting my life in Pretoria, my family moved to Denmark till I was about four years old. We moved back to South Africa and stayed for a couple of years. In Grade 2, we moved to Canada for about four years. When we returned to South Africa, I finished school at Pretoria Boys High. Post school, I still had the opportunity to travel to Russia, France and Namibia. Through all this travelling, I met many different kinds of people and experienced their culture and way of living. I believe this influenced my outlook on life greatly,” he adds.

He chose to become a designer, which led him to landscaping. “This would open the door to the possibility of using visual communication to express myself and still be able to make a living. I eventually put my landscaping design on hold and decided to study further to become a commercial photographer and was trained for three years. In my fourth year, I decided to embrace being an artist and thus proved to myself that it could be a viable career choice that incorporated all the skills that I had learned through the last decade after leaving high school,” he continues.

Conrad is now heading for Korea where he will teach English and also portray their culture in his unique imagery.

Conrad captures SA myth and

folklore in pictures

In what is considered one of the most imaginative B Tech dissertations originating from the Department of Visual Communication this year, a Photography student has captured a series of photomontage images that depict Southern African myth and folklore. Conrad Bitzer (29) received his degree cum laude at one of the University’s Autumn graduation ceremonies on 29 April.

Conrad Bitzer (29)

One of the images that forms part of his dissertation.

To view the images that formed part of his dissertation, with detailed descriptions, CLICK HERE.

Michael (34) grew up in Lambert’s Bay, a small fishing town in the Western Cape, situated 280 kilometres north of Cape Town. Growing up in a poor family, opportunities to further his studies were slim. But, at the time, the seeds of what Michael would do later in life were planted by none other than his late grandma, Caty. She started a Blikkies Band (a band using recycled tins as musical instruments) for children in the area, which made a huge impression on a young Michael.

After school, he worked for a while and later joined the Mass participation; Opportunity and access; Development and growth (MOD) Programme in Cape Town. This is an after-school programme that provides school-going youth with access to various fun-filled, play-based and modified activities in recreation and sport, as well as in arts and culture, on a daily basis. It is hosted across the province at MOD centres that are based at primary and high schools. This experience really stood Michael in good stead.

Two years ago he followed his girlfriend to Pretoria and enrolled at TUT. But, he has not forgotten his roots and returns to Lambert’s Bay at least twice a year to reach out to children of the area through art, using the medium to teach them valuable life skills.

During these visits he presents art workshops, among others, and unlock latent potential. “Children are getting bored, since art has been taken out of schools, and not everyone is good at sport. Some of the children who have attended my workshops have since become lawyers, etc. now also assisting me with my project,” says Michael.

On the home front, he arranges talent shows and informal art workshops, especially to make parents see the benefits of art education for their children. Michael also reached out to the elderly by presenting art classes and poetry sessions for them. Sometimes, you would also find him hosting an impromptu exhibition underneath a bridge, proudly displaying his paintings, mostly of faces portraying the souls of his subjects.

“I create opportunities and do not wait for them,” he concludes.

Young artist ploughs back into his community

“Children are getting bored, since art has been taken

out of schools, and not everyone is good at sport.”

Born in an area where drugs and gangsterism are rife, Michael Abrahams’ life could easily have gone in the wrong direction. Luckily, the talented second-year Fine and Applied Art student, decided to use his artistic talent, not only to keep his own life on track, but also that of many young children.

Michael
Abrahams (34)
uses art to reach
 out to the
 community.

Follow Michael on the following social media:    

In view of Youth Day that was celebrated on 16 June, Heita! went on a walkabout to ask students who their  youth role models are, and why?

I’M INSPIRED BY . . .

PERSIDE MUSUAMBA (19)

N Dip: Logistics Management

“Mpho Ramodisa who studies Law and also works at the TUT HR Directorate. She is like a sister to me. She is easily approachable and also a go-getter.”

MIXO MUHLAVA (23)

N Dip: Logistics Management

“SA rapper, Cassper Nyovest, although he dropped out of school. He is smart and he built a brand from nothing. He is business-minded and a lot of young people look up to him.”

NEO MADISE (24)

N Dip: Logistics

“Masechaba Ndlovu who is a radio presenter. She is goal-orientated and unstoppable. She overcomes every challenge she comes across and is a very strong woman.”

WOUTER VAN STADEN (24)

B Tech: Architecture

“My cousin, Gerhard van Wyk. He is open to people and kind to everyone in need. There was a time when he was sick and needed a kidney transplant. Luckily, he had a transplant. He always makes time for everyone and never makes excuses.”

PHINDILE MNGUNI (22)

B Tech: Public Relations

“My sister, Nompumelelo Mnguni. She never gives up. She provides for us as a family and she is a hard worker.”

BONGAAN

RAMATHOKA (19)

Higher Certificate: Construction Engineering

“My sister, Tumelo Ramathoka. She is loving, caring and has a beautiful heart. Most importantly, she always aims high. She has vision and follows her dreams.”

MELVIN ADLEM (25)

B Tech: Architecture

“British designer, Thomas Heatherwick. He inspires me with his designs, especially those of bridges and installations.”

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