Interview with Rushay Booysen

Posted under Interviews on 18th December, 2010

Mojo: What is your perception of the ‘As It Is!’ exhibition?
Rushay: Africa needs rebranding and it’s important that these voices come from within the continent of Africa. I believe we are the historians:

"Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter… Once I realized that, I had to be a writer. I had to be that historian."
– Chinua Achebe

One of my philosophies is the importance to open and create debate. So if this exhibition can achieve that for me I feel the crux of my mission was accomplished

Mojo: In Africa Uploaded – Experiences through the lens, you are showing 3 works: what do these photos narrate?
Rushay: Well each particular image asks the viewer a question. I constantly question what I see around me, whether it is a gun in the holster of a police officer or a raised black fist. These images can lead to various interpretations, but I'd like you to take it in a positive stride and view my/your questioning behind it.

Mojo: Who inspires you?
Rushay: I believe everybody is an artist; the art just needs to be realized from within. I am inspired by all sorts of unnamed and named people.

Mojo: How do you evaluate the current situation in Africa, and to what extent the situation has an impact on your art?
Rushay: The current situation in Africa is a creation of a particular past and to understand this takes a deep analogy. I embark to showcase the beauty and inspire this thinking about Africa.

Mojo: What do you look forward to seeing in Africa?
Rushay: I feel Africa need young fresh leaders: one that’s aimed at uniting Africans and trade of various kinds between African states. I would love to see more African people traveling between states, there is so much that we can learn from each other and there is no need for us to import various subcultures that destroys the values of our various societies.

About Rushay Booysen

Photographer and Culturist Rushay Booysen was born and raised in the small coastal city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. An avid supporter of various art mediums, he has written for Africasgateway and is co-founder of independent record label True Sight..
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