South African photographer Michelle Sank will give an MPF artist talk about her latest work, Burnthouse Lane, published earlier this year by Dewi Lewis.

This work is a result of Michelle’s long-term engagement with the historic Burnthouse Lane estate in Exeter, Devon. The idea for the estate was first conceived by Exeter Council in the idealistic 1920s to rehouse impoverished people from the West Quarter slum. The deprivation it was supposed to overcome has continued to haunt it. This body of work serves to counteract this by reflecting a positive relationship with, and a celebration of, the diversity there, as well as the close-knit community and solidarity among the residents.

The Burnthouse Lane photobook also includes an accompanying essay by Diane Smyth, editor of BJP.

Melanie in her front garden, from Burnthouse Lane © Michelle Sank

Michelle will also share and discuss her series Ballade, made over of the past 3 years in Cape Town, touching on how the two projects are linked through similar methodologies and interests related to her South African heritage. Images from Ballade have been exhibited in The Taylor Wessing Prize 2023 and have won the Open Portrait Award in the Sony World Photography Awards 2024.

The talk will be followed by questions from the floor and a book signing.

This event is part of our ongoing series sponsored by WEX Photo Video.

Zenande, Sinawe, Zinathi, and Buhle, from Ballade © Michelle Sank

Jason and twin sons Lucian and Ethan, from Ballade © Michelle Sank