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Between 2003 and 2013, photographer Matthew Willman had the privilege of being commissioned to visually document the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela for The Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg. The body of Willman’s 10-year commission is now housed in permanent archive as part of the ‘Mandela Centre of Memory.’
The recording process extended into many multifaceted areas with commissions that included 18 months on Robben Island, The Inanda Heritage, The Rivonia Trial (1963/64) The capture of Nelson Mandela in 1962 including the recording of private correspondence of Mandela as a prisoner, President and global statesman.
Willman’s access and interaction alongside Nelson Mandela was unprecedented over the years, affording Willman the opportunity to work alongside Mandela himself. None of the work was made public during this time and was approached with respect for Mandela’s privacy. What has emerged today is this powerful photographic collection.
The Mandela Heritage Collection was created as a way for Willman to share the incredible legacy of Nelson Mandela through his incredibly intimate documentation of Mandela’s life. With the world hungry to know more, the collection has journeyed far and wide over the last 10 years enjoying remarkable success across 5 continents viewed by 48 heads of state, royalty, business leaders and millions of citizens alike.
Never before in South Africa has this collection of original photographic prints had the opportunity to be exhibited. It was whilst exhibiting at the Bill Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas in the USA in 2018 that Willman decided this collection needed to find a home within South Africa.
With the completion of the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and the support of the Umngeni Municipality the first realistic opportunity came about. The exhibition itself will go through 3 phases to truly realize its full potential. Phase one is the establishment of this rare photographic collection followed by a deepening of the experience in phases 2 & 3.
Willman is committed to educating the public about Nelson Mandela, demythologising him, opening up discourse around his life and legacy so as to re invigorate discussion, share stories but most of all to dispel untruths and ignorance for this generation, older generations and those who will come after us.
The collection is spearheaded by one truly remarkable portrait study. For the first and only time, Nelson Mandela granted Willman the rare opportunity to capture on film a photographic study of his raised ‘Amandla Fist’. This powerful image encapsulates the entire body of Willman’s 20-year documentary of Nelson Mandela’s life. For the first time this portrait study will be housed in the museum at the Mandela Capture Site in Howick. This is our Mona Lisa, our icon for the ages. How we choose to celebrate it will define the longevity, message and meaning of Mandela’s life for us as citizens of South Africa.
For more information visit Mathew Wilman Photography
