Tamary Kudita, multi-award-winning fine art photographer based in Zimbabwe

Tamary Kudita is a multi-award-winning fine art photographer, scholar, and visual artist, exploring themes of cultural duality, African identity, and transgenerational memory. Her work portrays a new literature which takes on the cultural remaking of the self, contributing to new imaginings of African identities. She graduated from Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Subsequently, she established herself in fine art photography, thus beginning her artistic career in Zimbabwe.

She is the first African to win the coveted title of the 2021 Open Photographer of the Year from the Sony World Photography Awards. This image was the award's biggest prize for an image from her series' African Victorian'. Other awards and accolades include the J.M.D. Manyika Fellow, awarded by Harvard University (2023), the See Me, Art Takes 2021 Runner Up Prize (2021), and the Voices of African Women Journal Most Inspiring Art Piece Award (2020).

She has been shortlisted for The International Contemporary African Photography Prize (2021) and The Henrike Grohs Art Award (2024). Recognised for her talent, the artist received an Honourable Mention in the 2023 International Photography Awards and was nominated for the prestigious James Barnor Prize (2024).

Tamary's work has been exhibited and auctioned by the leading South African auction house, Aspire Auctions. Previous solo exhibitions have taken place at The Xposure International Photography Awards, Sharjah, UAE (2024), Art Basel Miami, Florida (2021-2022), and Visu Contemporary, Miami, Florida (2024).

Some of her group shows include: Investec Cape Town Art Fair (2024), Sony World Photography Awards, Willy- Brandt- Haus, Berlin, Germany, (2022) IPE 163, The Royal Photographic Society, Bristol, UK, (2022), Akka Project, Dubai Art Expo, Dubai, (2022), Shifting Narratives, The Melrose Gallery, South Africa, (2022) Reframing History, Photo Vogue Festival, Milan, Italy, (2021).

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I am comfortable with vision and execution. I specifically enjoy working behind and in front of the camera. For me, it's all about balance.

In fact, my name, Tamary, is a Hebrew name meaning 'seer of the future.' I genuinely feel I live this out in how I approach my photographic work. I don't just see what is—I anticipate what could be. I visualise concepts before they exist, and my knack is for creating nonconformist images that bring those ideas to life today.

How did you first get into photography?

From a conceptual standpoint, I was drawn to photography and the idea of being an author of sorts. Being able to see the beauty in the ordinary and translating that into a visual language which speaks to people really captivated me.

From a technical standpoint, I was intrigued by the science of painting with light and capturing fleeting moments we sometimes take for granted. These elements ultimately shaped my artistic career.

As far as I can remember, I was a curious child who had a knack for dismantling, reconstructing and rearranging anything I could get my hands on. As an adult, this curiosity was channelled into my art by creating suggestive worlds which present a new reality parallel to the status quo.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche?

I specialise in Fine Art Photography.

This specific genre truly evolved while I was obtaining my BFA, a program that also included disciplines such as painting. I was always fascinated by how Renaissance masters utilised the chiaroscuro effect in their work. This technique is closely mirrored in photography, where we essentially paint with light.

It was this desire to marry the technical and aesthetic elements of painting with photography that led me directly into the realm of fine art photography. While my photographic style remains a constant signature, my subject matter continually evolves in response to the changing times.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it? What did you learn from that experience?

Early in my career, I remember feeling pressure to change my artistic direction or source of inspiration just to fit a mould. However, I had to ask myself a critical question: What was more important—chasing popularity or genuinely giving that one follower something to believe in? If you can't stay true to yourself, you cannot create from a place of authenticity.

This realisation led me to deep introspection, and eventually, the right audience found me. We still live in an art climate that demands artists be adaptable at all costs; you have to choose between constant adaptability and genuine authenticity. I always choose the latter. I still face challenges today, but I always ground myself by remembering the pure motivation I felt when I was creating, with no one watching.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography? How do you use your images to connect with others?

I would say my style plays on the dualities of the world. Contemporary versus historical, Fantasy versus reality, modernity versus tradition and endings versus beginnings. Reflecting on these polarities and creating a visual language that allows them to coexist enables me to forge connections across cultures, nationalities, ethnicities, age groups, and genders.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

My journey has included two equally significant career-defining moments. The first—and a point of immense pride—was becoming the first African to win the Sony Open Photographer of the Year Award in 2021.

The second was having my first solo museum exhibition, held at the Cincinnati Art Museum in Ohio. These milestones continually reaffirm my faith and the belief that God guides my work.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

I would love to collaborate with Yinka Shonibare, as he embodies the quiet power of a disruptor, a trait I see in my own work. Crucially, he is an artist who creates for himself, not for market demands — a philosophy essential to genuine artistic longevity.

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

I love the 5Ruum because it serves as a central hub to explore the depth and variety of contemporary African photography. These kinds of platforms are rare to come by.

How's the photography and art space in your country: how has it evolved in recent years?

When I began my practice in 2019, the African photography art space looked drastically different from what it does today. It has undoubtedly become more vibrant, with many emerging photographers finally getting seen and appreciated.

While commercial photography still essentially takes centre stage, there is a slow but steady recognition of photography as a legitimate art form. We are making strides, but the medium is not yet where it should be in terms of institutional support and prominence.

The broader African art space has matured into a thriving ecosystem, and we are increasingly recognised for our diverse artistic talent, which extends well beyond our famous soapstone sculptures. Encouragingly, we also see diaspora members returning to the continent to reconnect with their creative roots.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

Get in touch with yourself, know who you are, understand why you want to create, and just begin.

We often wait for the perfect conditions to start. Our minds are wired for safety and will always find a reason to stay, but your future isn't waiting for your comfort; it's waiting for your courage. Although photography is highly technical, step out in faith and figure it out as you go.

Dedicate time every day to do something small that increases your knowledge, but don't try to do too much too soon. Start by learning and truly knowing your camera. From that foundation, things will evolve, and you'll figure out what you enjoy shooting.

That enjoyment will lead you to find your community, which in turn brings opportunities to showcase your work. This helps you build a network that teaches you the business of photography, and you will ultimately create a structure that supports your goals. There are no shortcuts, only discipline.