M y n a m e i s M i n e n h l e S i p h e s i h l e N t u l i a n d I a m a J n r. Architect and emerging creative from the city of Durban. On any day I would gladly confess that I am an avid votary of the work by visual artist, Li Joshua. A s a c r e a t i v e I a m a g r e a t f a n o f i d e n t i t y, m e a n i n g a n d detail, which are all elements that I deem to be present in X Y L O N 1 0 0 0 ’ s a r t i s t r y. T h e c r e a t i v e s e c t o r , l i k e a n y i n d u s t r y, i s v e r y c o m p e t i t i v e thus it becomes imperative that one obtains a sense of identity and individualism that helps them to standout and be relevant. From where I stand Li Joshua has achieved these things with his attention to detail and consistency in using specific elements that make the work memorable and identifiable. One of the elements of his work that stand out for me, as a typography fan, is the consistent, neat and clean font. I p e r s o n a l l y f e e l i t ’s s o e f f e c t i v e a n d f i t t i n g t h a t I j u s t h a d to drop a comment on Instagram and ask for its name. Establishing an identity seems to not have bottled up the style of work as it continuesaz to be neoteric in the approach, finding an almost perfect balance between having an identity and still having no restricting set of rules. I have great respect for minimal artists as they burden themselves with a job of stripping all that is futile a n d k e e p i n g t h e n e c e s s a r y, a n d r e l e v a n t e l e m e n t s to communicate their concepts/ideas. From the monochromatic minimalism to the introduction of daring c o l o u r s e v e r y n o w a n d t h e n , t h i s g u y ’s w o r k r e m a i n s s o m e that I am always on the lookout for as I search daily for inspiration as an upcoming creative myself. - Minenhle Dust Sphe Ntuli
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A Li Joshua Publication S u p p o r t e d b y D I S PA R AT E O n l i n e M a g a z i n e i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h T h e B l v c k B o o k P r o j e c t Digitally published in South Africa in 2016 Copyright Š Li Joshua All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, sorted in a retrieval system, or t r a n s m i t t e d , i n a n y f o r m o r b y a n y m e a n s , w i t h o u t p r i o r p e r m i s s i o n i n w r i t i n g f r o m t h e p u b l i s h e r. A l l artwork created by artist unless stated and credited otherwise, pertaining to isolated visual elements used in the nature of visual arts. P u b l i s h e d i n S o u t h A f r i c a b y D I S PA R AT E S T U D I O S f o r L i J o s h u a A K A X y l o n 1 0 0 0 @XYLON1000 disparate.co.za
Being creative has always been an instinctual thing for me. Having to compile and curate the following collection of my work is probably the only time I’ve been able to be introspective with my creative processes. I’m glad I did. A huge thank you to the many people who have inspired, influenced and collaborated with me o n t h i s p r o j e c t . Yo u r p a s s i o n a n d enthusiasm for the love of ideas will continue to fuel me until the end of days. The images showcased on the following pages are a collection of my creative works within the visual communicative sphere of male f a s h i o n . E n j o y. -Li Joshua AKA XYLON 1000.
SPREAD: MAN ON FIRE, ARCHIVE #4_073 MODEL: KYLE EDDY, PORTFOLIO
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SPREAD: OOTD ARCHIVE #7_034 MODEL: RUAL SANTOS, TEST SHOOT B
THIS PAGE: PORTRAIT ARCHIVE #6_064 MODEL: KAELIN HERCULES, TEST SHOOT A
I don’t want to sound too cliché and say life is my sole inspiration, but in a way it really is. I am truly inspired by people: their faces in spaces and places to be exact. For me, each person is a character waiting to be captured, an individual inhabiting a persona that reflects a certain facet of who they are, or who they might be. The mutual space of documentation we share as artist and subject is truly a magical one.
To w i t n e s s t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n o f a n i n d i v i d u a l , e v e n f o r a few hours (or however long a photo shoot might take) t r i g g e r s i d e a s a n d g e t s m y n e u r o n s f i r i n g . F o r m e i t ’s a b o u t an idea personified. I know there are some that might say these images aren’t fashion, let alone male fashion. I’m not s a y i n g t h e y ’ r e w r o n g . F a s h i o n , i n t h e g e n r e o f p h o t o g r a p h y, i s a c o m f o r t a b l e o n e f o r m e . I t ’s a l a n d o f m a k e b e l i e v e , where we can dress up a girl to be a boy or a thug to be a gentleman and so forth. Am I a liar for doing so? No. I’m an artist. I use lies to exercise truths.
In the grand scheme of things, I feel that male fashion isn’t c o m p l e t e l y u n p a c k a g e d o n a l o c a l D u r b a n l e v e l . M a y b e i t ’s the lack of menswear being designed in Durban? I’m not entirely sure. I do find it an exciting genre to play around w i t h . E v e n t h o u g h t h i s i s , i n a w a y, m y 1 s t a t t e m p t , i t ’ s a g e n r e t h a t I l o o k f o r w a r d t o e x p l o r i n g f u r t h e r, e s p e c i a l l y in an editorial sense. One thing I am certain of is that in a collective effort the 031 has potential to be a major fashion influence.
SPREAD: DISPARATE MAG ISSUE 4, ARCHIVE #3_022 MODEL: CHAD BRISSETT, BTS PORTRAIT
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SPREAD: COLLECTION ACCESSORIES SHOOT, ARCHIVE #7_070 MODEL: DELON QAID LEONARD
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SPREAD: PORTRAIT, PORTFOLIO SHOOT ARCHIVE #6_022 MODEL: ALAIN FIRMIN
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SPREAD: COLLECTION COVER SHOOT, ARCHIVE #6_001 MODEL: CHAD KOEKEMOER
SPREAD: TALES OF AN URBAN BOY, ARCHIVE #8_001 MODEL: KYLE EDDY
I began my formal artistic training studying photography a t t h e D u r b a n U n i v e r s i t y o f Te c h n o l o g y ( D U T ) . I w a s young, undecided and had way too much going on in my h e a d t o t h i n k l o g i c a l l y. A s t i m e p a s s e d I r e a l i z e d t h a t a photograph was never the beginning and the end for me, I always had intention for every photograph that I captured. I wanted to slap some typography on it for s o m e i n d i e b a n d ’s a l b u m a r t , o r i m p o s e i t i n a p o s t a p o c a l y p t i c c i t y. B e t t e r y e t , I w a n t e d t o c o v e r a b u i l d i n g i n t h e m i d d l e o f We s t S t r e e t w i t h a p h o t o , s o I m o v e d o n (NB. Liza, I didn’t say dropped out :D ). Evolving into the world of graphic design seemed like the right move. I never looked back and fed off the newfound creative confidence I was given. The most important creative lessons I acquired as a graphic designer were the following: •Concept is king •Keep it simple stupid •Rules are malleable •Never stop playing. I c a n c o n f i d e n t l y s a y t h a t i t ’s a s e t o f c r i t e r i a I ’ v e a l w a y s weighed a final piece against. Especially the rule about playing! I don’t want to just click a shutter; I love getting m y h a n d s d i r t y. I w a n t t o h e l p w i t h t h e s t y l i n g , s o u r c i n g the reference, better yet let me help you design the garment. The constant creative fluidity makes me more confident with each shoot. The greatest satisfaction for me is seeing a concept come to life. From a simple portrait being captured, to a shoot that defies the rules of p h y s i c s , t h e p o s t p r o c e s s i s w h e r e I h a v e t h e m o s t f u n . I t ’s where impossible is nothing and all sentiments of logic a r e o f t e n q u e s t i o n e d . T h a t ’s w h a t v i s u a l a r t i s f o r m e , creating and composing a picture that will burn in your memory until you see the next one.
SPREAD: TALES OF AN URBAN BOY, ARCHIVE #8_002005 MODEL: KYLE EDDY
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SPREAD: PORTRAIT, PORTFOLIO SHOOT ARCHIVE #6_038041 MODEL: ALAIN FIRMIN
SPREAD: A BIG BLUR OF BLUE, ARCHIVE #5_032 MODEL: KAELIN HERCULES, PORTFOLIO
THIS PAGE PORTRAIT, TEST SHOOT ARCHIVE #8_043 MODEL: YOSHEN NAIR OPPOSITE PAGE DISPARATE ISSUE 5 COVER SHOOT ARCHIVE #4_073 MODEL: MICHEAL DOVE
THIS PAGE AVANTCRAIG, TEST SHOOT ARCHIVE #2_062 MODEL: CRAIG MALAN OPPOSITE PAGE DISPARATE ISSUE 8 COVER SHOOT ARCHIVE #9_043 MODEL: ROBBIE MULLER STYLING AND POST EDIT: LI JOSHUA, YOSHEN NAIR MAKE UP: NOMBUSO NGCOBO IMAGE: JEROME STOFFELS, LI JOSHUA
SPREAD: LWANSTA FOR NORMVL PROMO ART, ARCHIVE #2_027028 MODEL: LWANSTA NKANYUZA FOR HYPE MAG SA.
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THIS PAGE: VISUAL PLAY, ARCHIVE #6_029 MODEL: CHAD KOEKEMOER OPPOSITE PAGE: VISUAL PLAY, ARCHIVE #6_021 MODEL: SANELE BALINTABA
SPREAD: VISUAL PLAY, SHAPE AND FORM ARCHIVE #6_036 MODEL: CHAD KOEKEMOER, JETHRO KIRTON FOR DISPARATE MAG ISSUE 5 PRINT BY: PINMIG
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THIS PAGE: DEFACE PT-1 ARCHIVE #5_081 MODEL: REECE OGLE
I could probably write you a lengthy list of the various artists that have inspired me over time. If there is one artist I keep coming back to, and am in constant admiration of, i t ’s N i c k K n i g h t . T h e r e ’s s o m e t h i n g a b o u t h i s v i s i o n a n d bravery in executing that vision that excites me. I find myself having many a “what would Nick do?” moment. Maybe I should put that on a t-shirt and tag him in an Instagram post. At the root of that admiration is a sense of t h e e x t r a o r d i n a r y. H o w c a n I , v i a a v i s u a l p i e c e , c r e a t e a s e n s e o f m y s t e r y, a l l u r e , e v e n u n s e t t l e m e n t ? I t ’ s a n a e s t h e t i c I’ve tried my best to practice over the years. I want to create work that evokes emotion, ignites opinions and ultimately creates change.
I ’ m n o t t r y i n g t o b r i n g a b o u t w o r l d p e a c e o r w h a t e v e r, I j u s t w a n t p e o p l e t o g o b e y o n d a m i n d s e t o f “ o h t h a t ’s a p r e t t y picture” but whether I’ve done that is yet to be confirmed. I don’t think I have, but the notion of working towards that goal is what keeps me creating.
Over time I’ve developed my own tips and tricks. I don’t feel I’m a traditional photographer by any sense of the title, which is why I opt for the title of visual artist instead. Labels make me uncomfortable, especially when it comes to creative works. I understand why they exist, and that they bring understanding by compartmentalization. I mean we are, by human programming, designed to put things in to boxes and label them. Perhaps I’ve been creating a new box. Is it too arrogant to state such a thing?
THIS PAGE: DEFACE PT-2 ARCHIVE #7_057 MODEL: KYLE EDDY OPPOSITE PAGE: DEFACE PT-3 ARCHIVE #7_073 MODEL: KAELIN HERCULES
THIS PAGE: DISPARATE MAG COVER SHOOT ISSUE 7 ARCHIVE #5_093 MODEL: JAROD MASON OPPOSITE PAGE: DISPARATE MAG POSTER SHOOT ISSUE 5 ARCHIVE #4_086 MODEL: ERIC STEENKAMP
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SPREAD: BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY, FASHION FEATURE ARCHIVE #1_037 MODEL: TARYN KETTLE STYLING: LI JOSHUA HAIR AND MAKE UP: KIM JOSHUA
SPREAD: BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY, FASHION FEATURE ARCHIVE #1_041046 MODEL: TARYN KETTLE STYLING: LI JOSHUA HAIR AND MAKE UP: KIM JOSHUA
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MOMENTS - KYLE AND KREE METH
THANK YOU Yo s h e n N a i r, f o r y o u r c o n t i n u o u s s u p p o r t a n d l o g i c a l r e f i n e m e n t o f m y c r e a t i v e work, I am blessed to have such skills by my side. Kyle Meth for keeping me grounded and challenging me, even when no one else has dared to. Jessica van R e n s b u r g f o r c r o s s i n g m y T ’s a n d d o t t i n g m y I ’s , I a m s o g r a t e f u l f o r h a v i n g a c c e s s t o y o u r s o u n d m i n d a n d e a r. P r u n e l l e A m a n f o r b e i n g a n a m a z i n g s o u n d b o a r d a n d support system when I need it most. Karin Pillay for being the Goddess you are and m y a l l r o u n d m u s e . Ta r y n K e t t l e f o r c o n s t a n t l y r e m i n d i n g m e t o e s c a p e f r o m t h e n o r m . K e r r y K i r s t e n f o r “ g e t t i n g m e ” a n d f i n i s h i n g m y s e n t e n c e s w h e n i t ’s t i m e t o discuss fashion. Arushka Saligram for making me an “effective” graphic designer ;) Paul Reichle for always being in my corner and allowing me to bug you at the most inconvenient times - one day I will be as good as you! M y D I S PA R AT E M a g f a m i l y – A n e l e Ts h a b a l a l a , H e l o i s e H u n t e r M a r s h a l l , L y d i a S m e r d o n D u n n , M a y u r i S a n i c h u r, M a r k L y n e , D a y n e We l l b e l o v e d , A m y N a i d o o , C r a i g M a l a n . Yo u g u y s a r e s o m e o f t h e m o s t i n f l u e n t i a l a n d c r e a t i v e p e o p l e I h a v e the honour of calling friends and for that I am thankful. Nivesh Rawatlal for your infectious sense of rebellion and reminding me that what I d o i s a g i f t w o r t h l i v i n g f o r. O s m o s i s L i z a , P a u l o M e n e z e s , D o m i n i q u e W i l s o n , Ernest van der Merwe, Kay Smart, Nombuso Ngcobo and Jerome Stoffels for your creative council, I am truly grateful. All the models who have shown inspirational enthusiasm in being a part of this c o l l e c t i o n : K y l e E d d y, C h a d K o e k e m o e r, K a e l i n H e r c u l e s , A l a i n a n d J e a n - l u c Firmin, Rual Santos, Kyle Meth, Sanele Balintaba, Chad and Keelen Brissett, Robbie M u l l e r, D e a n S m i t h , D e l o n Q a i d L e o n a r d , R e e c e O g l e , L w a n s t a N k a n y u z a , M i c h e l D o v e , E r i c S t e e n k a m p , J a r o d M a s o n . We h a v e f o r m e d c r e a t i v e r e l a t i o n s h i p s t h a t I appreciate to the fullest and this project would not have been possible without you. The Artists and the City of Durban, South Africa. Keep on keeping on. My Family for whom I have nothing but love. Thank you for being so accommodating of me and what I do, even if I speak like a crazy person most of the time. A n d l a s t l y b u t c e r t a i n l y n o t l e a s t , K r e e M a t t h e w M e t h . Yo u m i g h t b e t o o y o u n g r i g h t now to understand, that it is you who has inspired me to take the leap and bring this project to life. Who knew I could feel as much for a single human being as I do for you. I have hopes that you are able to look back and be proud of what I have created. God bless you all.