Category: Lifeblood

The subjects in both photographs portray a sense of vulnerability and timidity, which is both beautiful and haunting at the same time.  They all live with the fear of being hunted or preyed upon.  This serves to emphasise the sad state of affairs in our society … Continue readingLifeblood: She came to the city full of hope, but this will always be dark city. Downtown Durban & The hunted: a pair of impala at dawn. Hluhluwe, KZN

Placing the controversial socio-political debates about this comparison aside and focussing on a purely scientific perspective, man and monkey are extremely similar.  These similarities can be seen with all other mammals.  An important gene which sets humans and other large apes apart from other mammals is … Continue readingLifeblood: A man and a monkey… both have cool beards (politics aside). Doung – contemplating roots, walls and pathways. Downtown Durban

Both subjects use some form of camouflage for survival.   The zebra – its natural black and white stripes to blend-in, to confuse and protect against predators; the busker – his artificial face paint, to stand out and entertain on the streets and earn money to … Continue readingLifeblood: Joe the busker wears white face paint for the sidewalk stage. Durban CBD & Zebra skin, the perfect camouflage. Hluhluwe, KZN

Whether in a state of lack or abundance, the presence of water is key to each environment’s make-up.  South Africa has one of the richest ranges of biodiversity in the world, with a land surface of 1,1 million square km – representing only 1% of … Continue readingLifeblood: Water is vital to all life on Earth. Paradise Valley, Durban & Cactus landscape, thirsty desert. Karoo Heartland, Eastern Cape

Exposure to harmful UV radiation from the sun is an issue that we all face, regardless of skin colour, background, cultural heritage or profession.  With gathering momentum around global warming and damage to the Earth’s Ozone Layer, this exposure is only set to worsen, making protection … Continue readingLifeblood: Ibomvu (orange clay) offers protection from the sun in Zululand & Gerhard works as a car guard in the blazing sun. South Beach, Durban.

Photo composition aside, the striking similarity between the two toddlers is testament to the fact that there is no scientific base for race.  DNA reveals that more than 99.9% of our genes are identical and that we are all of African origin.  A common challenge that … Continue readingLifeblood: Young dad, self-portrait in the lounge & Daddy cool, Durban inner city

South Africa’s unique climate and topography give rise to broad vegetation zones in the country, and together with each of their associated animal life, they form diverse areas we refer to as biomes.  There are nine classified biomes across the country, each offering unique opportunities to … Continue readingLifeblood: Pure white arum lilies, Durban Botanic Gardens & Wildfire in the hot bushveld, Hluhluwe

Comparisons have long been made between women and lionesses – Mothers, protectors, providers; both queens in their own right.  The lioness represents the raw power of a woman: beautiful, caring, nurturing but also fiercely protective. However, the scientific link between humans and the cat family go … Continue readingLifeblood: Queens of the jungle, Great Zimbabwe & My sister Robyn, one afternoon in the Karoo

Lifeblood is a photography project by Samora Chapman in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) & Genomics Africa that highlights the diversity of humans, plants and animals in our mesmerizing corner of the world. The show was curated by Prof Tulio de Oliveira, Director of KRISP. … Continue readingLIFEBLOOD: Photography Exhibition by Samora Chapman: Visual Metaphors that Give Life Diversity, Durban, 24 Oct 2019