“Pieter Hugo was born 1976 and grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. He is a South African photographer who primarily works in portraiture and whose work engages with both documentary and art traditions with a focus on African communities.

Hugo has called himself “a political-with-a-small-p photographer ... it's hard not to be as soon as you pick up a camera in South Africa”. He believes that “the power of photography is inherently voyeuristic but I want that desire to look to be confronted”. He also states that he is “deeply suspicious of the power of photography”.

Early on in his career he noticed that, 'he often found himself being critically scrutinized by the subject he was photographing. It was then that he decided to switch to a larger and more cumbersome format of photography, one that would require negotiating consent and dialogue with the person being photographed – a more sedate and contemplative approach.

His most recognized work is the series called “The Hyena & Other Men” and which was published as a monograph. It has received a great deal of attention. Hugo won first prize in the Portraits section of the World Press Photo 2005 for a portrait of a man with a hyena”. – Wikipedia

Abdullahi Mohammed with Mainasara, Ogere-Remo, Nigeria 2007. (Photo by Pieter Hugo)

Garuba Yaku with Rando, Nigeria 2005. (Photo by Pieter Hugo)

Dayaba Usman with the monkey Clear, Nigeria 2005. (Photo by Pieter Hugo)

Mallam Mantari Lamal with Mainasara,Nigeria 2005. (Photo by Pieter Hugo)

Alhaji Hassan with Ajasco, Ogere-Remo, Nigeria 2007. (Photo by Pieter Hugo)

The Hyena Men of Abuja, Nigeria 2005. (Photo by Pieter Hugo)

Mallam Mantari Lamal with Mainasara,Nigeria 2005. (Photo by Pieter Hugo)

Mummy Ahmadu and Mallam Mantari Lamal with Mainasara, Abuja, Nigeria 2005. (Photo by Pieter Hugo)

Mallam Galadima Ahmadu with Jamis, Abuja, Nigeria 2007. (Photo by Pieter Hugo)