Sue Williamson

Mandela: The First Photograph, 1990

The intense anticipation surrounding Nelson Mandela’s release after 27 years of imprisonment centred not only on his freedom but also on the mystery of his image. During his time on Robben Island, all photographs of him were banned. This work draws on early protest images, reproduced countless times over the years, and distills them into a faded, almost forgotten form. These images, once sharp in their defiance, now blur into the realm of memory. The world expected the first photo of Mandela stepping into freedom to be one of jubilation and power, surrounded by his supporters. Instead, the first photo released to the world’s press came from the office of State President F. W. de Klerk. In a stunning public relations coup, De Klerk had himself photographed next to Mandela, who, dressed in a business suit, glances uneasily away from the camera. In 1993, the two were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.