One head is seen almost in full, the other is positioned close to the edge of the frame. What’s equally significant is the face that rests close to a nape. It is an intimacy made apparent by how close the lens gets—an obvious conceit by which the photographer can show a moment of tenderness. Both eyes are closed. What desire doesn’t wish to be seen? This question reveals a blind hubris, as if a photograph can show all there is to see in a face.

— Emmanuel Iduma

I photographed Sami Maseko and Mpumelelo “Frypan” Mfula in 2021 for the ongoing series, “The Architecture of Love” which is a body of work comprised of photography, motion picture, and text as a collage that explores themes related to love, intimacy, safety, connection, healing, and nature.

I took this image in 2021 during my time as an artist in residence with the University of KwaZulu Natal as an Artist Protection Fund Fellow. During my time in residence, I made work in Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg where this photograph was taken. This was taken on my friend's rooftop, using natural light—I really love milking the light between 5 and 7 for all it has. This image is meant to represent closeness, intimacy, safety, and the quietness that people can share.

I chose this photograph because I personally enjoy how the concept and composition balance each other. You can go in so many different ways when you’re exploring something as big, complicated and simple as love. I guess I’d say I enjoy the closeness, the metaphor, the colour and the way the work feels. I had always wanted to photograph Sami and Frypan together, and I was surprised by how easily it came together after so many years of planning and delays.

My approach to photography involves a lot of research and daydreaming; I plan and flow, I work with people a lot, often photographing people I see around and meet online, people whose stories I resonate with, and people I meet during my travels. I think photography is layered, it makes things visible and gives people the power to make things matter. Photography is broader and continues to evolve and expand; it is easy to take it for granted because it’s so accessible—which actually supports one of the initial mandates of photography, democracy.

— Cole Ndelu

Cole Ndelu is a photographer and contemporary artist currently based in Durban, South Africa. She graduated in 2016 from the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication, majoring in Photography. Her work occupies the intersection between art, fashion, documentary, and spirituality, and explores the themes of vulnerability, self-care, justice, and space. She works primarily in photography but also works with mediums such as text, sound, collage and motion as a fledgling director and cinematographer. See more of her work on her website and Instagram. Also see a feature of her work on Bubblegumclub.