{"id":35595,"date":"2024-08-27T09:23:17","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T07:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/?p=35595"},"modified":"2024-08-27T09:23:17","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T07:23:17","slug":"inspired-by-history-and-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/blog\/2024\/08\/27\/inspired-by-history-and-hope\/","title":{"rendered":"Inspired by history and hope"},"content":{"rendered":"

Umdloti-based artist Jiten Ramlal has created a collection of fine art photographs called Diamonds in Our Blood. We chatted to him about the inspiration behind these striking pieces<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Q: DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE AN ARTIST?<\/strong>
\nA:<\/strong> From a young age, I was captivated by the power of visual storytelling. While I didn’t always envision myself as an artist in the traditional sense, I was deeply passionate about creating and expressing ideas through various mediums. My journey began in graphic design, where I discovered the potential of combining design principles with photography, videography and animation to tell compelling stories. This multifaceted approach to art became the foundation of my career and led me to embrace the role of an artist wholeheartedly.<\/p>\n

Q: WHAT MEDIUM HAVE YOU USED FOR THE DIAMONDS IN YOUR BLOOD COLLECTION?<\/strong>
\nA:<\/strong> The first pieces are fine art photography. I hope to expand into a fusion of mixed media techniques in future volumes. I\u2019ve used digital photography and aimed to capture the intricate and multifaceted nature of the collection’s theme, using light and texture to evoke a sense of depth and emotion.<\/p>\n

Q: WHAT INSPIRED THE COLLECTION?<\/strong>
\nA:<\/strong> I was inspired by the complex history and stigmatisation of the diamond industry in South Africa. I witnessed first-hand how the negative connotations associated with diamonds affected the growth of the industry and the lives of South Africans. I was hired six years ago to advertise jewellery and rough diamond sales. In that role, I had to immerse myself in the diamond value chain, understanding everything from key players to the intricacies of diamonds as a commodity. This behind-the-scenes exposure provided me with a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective on the true value of diamonds, not just as a luxury item, but as a significant asset to every South African.<\/p>\n