ANIMAL PRINTS
Exhibition alludes to call of the wild
PAYING tribute to the leopard and animal print, Canadian-Haitian photographer Émilie Régnier captures a different use and vision of the print and fur in a photographic series exhibition, Léopard,which runs in Durban until September.
Shot by Régnier on the roads from Texas to Libreville, the Canadian photographer says her work is a study of the history and symbolism of the famous animal print.
“I felt it was a bridge that I could use to get people from different social, economic, ethical or religious backgrounds because I feel in a way, we can all don a leopard,” she said.
Asked how the inspiration behind this showcase began, she said: “When I was in residence in Paris, in search of new models, I met a lady who accepted to join me later for a photo shoot. “The woman dressed in a
boubou with a leopard pattern and she was astonishing in her candid originality. As I travelled through Paris, I suddenly became aware of the popularity of the animal print.”
Régnier moved to Senegal in 2008 after spending her childhood in Africa, mainly Gabon. Now based in Paris, her work takes place between Europe and Africa.
Her photography has been exhibited in Amsterdam, Dubai, Milan, Paris, New York, Toronto and Lagos, and has appeared in numerous international publications such as Le Monde, Le Monde Magazine, International Courier, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Foam and Der Spiegel.
She is always in search of new prospects. With regards to her Léopard collection, she reached out through Google Images as well as a Facebook group, International Leopard Day. Régnier says she captured a man by the name of Larry.
“He was covered in tattoos from head to toe, even his genitals. He was so comfortable posing for me in my photos. He is known as Leopard Man and I found him through Google Images,” Régnier said.
During her visit to KwaZuluNatal, she has also captured fascinating pictures in Durban.
“When I came to Durban, I told the tour guide, I don’t want to do tours. I want to reach out to Zulus wearing leopard – so he took me to this Zulu party and it was very eclectic, you know, from shooting a famous French actress wearing leopard or Zulus dressed in leopard attire,” she said.
“I know more and more what I want as I get older and as a photographer. You know, when you refrain yourself or refrain from what you want to say – now I don’t really care about those things. You either like it or don’t like it. It’s very personal and authentic.”
On Léopard, Régnier says she hopes those who attend will walk away with a feeling that Durban inspired the rest of the world or at least KZN.
The exhibition runs at the Onomo Hotel in Durban until September 7 and is curated by Also Known As Africa (AKAA), in partnership with Onomo Hotel Durban.