Ernest Cole: House of Bondage

Ernest Coles' House of Bondage, first published in 1967, is a seminal photobook that exposed the horrors of apartheid to the world and influenced generations of photographers. This reissued edition includes unpublished work and recontextualizes the book for contemporary audiences, highlighting the legacy of Coles' powerful images and his account of the apartheid era.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2022
Publisher: Aperture

First published in 1967, Ernest Cole's House of Bondage has been hailed as one of the most significant photobooks of the twentieth century. It has been praised for its powerful portrayal of the horrors of apartheid and its lasting impact on the world of photography. This edition, reissued for contemporary audiences, includes a chapter of unpublished work discovered in a recently resurfaced cache of negatives. It also provides a fresh perspective on Cole's life and the legacy of House of Bondage.

Cole, a Black South African man, bravely documented the underbelly of apartheid in the 1950s and 60s, often at great personal risk. He meticulously captured the various forms of violence perpetrated against the Black majority under the apartheid system, including miners, police, hospitals, and schools. In 1966, Cole fled South Africa and smuggled out his negatives, which were used to publish House of Bondage the following year.

This edition retains the powerful narrative of the original while offering new insights into Cole's life and the significance of House of Bondage. It also features an additional chapter titled "Black Ingenuity," which showcases never-before-seen photographs of Black creative expression and cultural activity during the apartheid era.

House of Bondage, originally published nearly fifty-five years ago, remains a visually stunning and politically charged document of the apartheid era. Its powerful images and compelling storytelling continue to resonate with audiences worldwide, reminding us of the importance of confronting history and promoting social justice.

Weight: 1342g
Dimension: 300 x 214 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781597115339