︎
artists     stories    image-search     news    contact

Lavender Hill

© Gabriella Achadinha

Known as the most dangerous area within the Cape Peninsula, innocent citizens/children are often killed in crossfire during gang wars. Growing up in such a poverty-stricken environment youth often turn to either drug-related business or gangsterism.
Constable Adams, in charge of the Lavender Hill area, identified bodybuilding - specifically focusing on the competitive sport entry - as a means to divert young men from crime to sport. Ruiz Solomons discusses his life in this turbulent area and exactly what bodybuilding means to him as a tool to not only further himself but also to inspire other children growing up in the same circumstances.

I shot the series on my Nikon F-801, using 35mm Fujicolor film. I focused mostly on the children and their environment - the school and their homes/flats - as they lend a particular innocence to such a torn-down area. As Lavender Hill Secondary School principal, Mr. Manie, explains: 'Instead of allocating money towards extra-mural activities or resources we need, we've had to spend R2.1 mil on a bullet-deflecting fence'. This is the environment that Ruiz navigates daily; one that is contrasted with hope and violence.



click to view the complete set of images in the archive

Institute Artist is redefining how stories are produced and told. Representing auteur-driven storytellers, we bring together talent across commercials, photography, fine art, and film. Founded by Matt Shonfeld and Frank Evers. Institute Artists multi-platform production expertise, and established global relationships in entertainment, fine art, and journalism make for unmatched reach and cross-pollination of creative work. Institute Artist has been a leading advocate of the power of underrepresented talent and is fully committed to bringing these authentic voices to our clients by helping them tell compelling and entertaining stories that better connect with their audiences.