Hentie Burger Photography

Namibia Image Library

Books

I have self-published 4 coffee table photo books:
Namibia Panorama in 2016 (text in English, French and German).www.namibiabooks.com
Panorama Namibiano in 2018 (text in English, Spanish, Italian and Chinese).www.namibiabooks.com
Namibia Unique in 2019 (text in English and German).www.namibiabooks.com
Namibia, Any Road Will Do in 2024 (text in English).www.namibiabooks.com


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The Namibia Panorama and Panorama Namibiano are identical books but with different language captions. These 2 books display colourful images accompanied with short captions that represent the whole of Namibia - nature, culture, and aerial images are all represented in this book. It is a medium sized book that makes it easy to travel with. The ideal souvenier for a tourist or for family members abroad.

Namibia Panorama cover view
Inside view of both books
Panorama Namibiano cover view
Namibia Unique is a totally different style of photo book and perhaps a first for Namibia.
First of all the 'Unique' refers to Namibia and not to the photographer!
It is a square (26 x 26cm) "arty" book with a bit more text.
The text is in English and German, but done independently and not as a translation of the other.
Text is part factual, part poetic.
Images are in high key (slightly overexposed) fashion on matte paper, with just a hint of colour.

Namibia Unique: cover view
Namibia Unique: first inside view
Namibia Unique: second inside view
Three concepts are built into this book:
"Minimalism equals perfection"
Therefore very little colour in the images. Emphasis is on subject matter and elegant composition. "A Namibian visual version of the classical Aboriginal songlines"
Namibia Unique is a praise song for all things uniquely Namibian, compiled as a retrospective portfolio, covering a 42 year period (1978 - 2019), as experienced by myself. "The interlinking building blocks to reach a state of uniqueness"
The chapter order is; Geology, current Climate influences; the resultant Flora; the resultant Fauna, the resultant People (Namibians) and lastly Senses (the ultimate luxury when one can appreciate the art in nature and living via all our senses). Namibia Unique was selected to be on the shortlist for the Eiger Foundation African Photobook of the Year Awards 2022. You can view the 17 shortlisted candidates on the internet.
Namibia, Any Road Will Do is a captivating exploration of forty-six years of images and ideas on the profound connection between travel, photography and being present in the moment.

In a departure from his previous works, renowned independent photographer Hentie Burger's autobiographic compilation considers the experiences that have shaped his extraordinary journey as a traveller, photographer, and human.

With a keen eye for the beauty in the ordinary, Burger takes readers on a reflective odyssey, guiding them through the transformative power of travel and the art of capturing fleeting moments through his lens. Through his quirky prose and philosophical musings, Burger invites us to shed our preconceived notions and immerse ourselves fully in the present, allowing the world to reveal its splendour in unexpected ways,

Namibia, Any Road Will Do is a testament to the idea that there are no wrong turns in life, only unexplored paths. Leave behind the noise and haste and explore the vast network of Namibian roads that connect us to the natural world, our cherished companions and the most soulful versions of ourselves.

Namibia, Any Road Will Do: cover view
Namibia, Any Road Will Do: table of contents
Namibia, Any Road Will Do: introduction
Namibia, Any Road Will Do: where to?
Namibia, Any Road Will Do: incidental events
Namibia, Any Road Will Do: accommodation
Namibia, Any Road Will Do: baggage
Namibia, Any Road Will Do: on chaos and disruption
Namibia, Any Road Will Do: end page

Exhibitions

I had a few exhibitions earlier in my career (Windhoek in Namibia, Biberach and Laupheim in Germany and Chelsea in the UK), but then I drifted away from exhibitions while I managed my own gallery for 20 years. Now in my senior phase of photography, I enjoy getting involved with more challenging exhibition themes (solo or group exhibitions).

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Click on a link below to see more about an exhibition!

Sun PigmentWho is John MStanding Tall - Namibian Men in TransitionYellow Submarine


Title: Sun Pigment
Date: September 2018
Place: Windhoek, Namibia
Group exhibition by NAA (Namibian Arts Association) members

I participated with 4 images printed on 100% Cotton white, 410gsm, FineArt Monet Canvas made by Hahnemühle.

Aerial view of salt pansAerial view of salt pansAerial view of salt pansAerial view of salt pans


My subject matter was a portfolio of abstract aerial images of salt pans along the coast of Namibia at Walvis Bay.

I derived the "solar" and "salt" concept from the word "sun". Hence, solar salt evaporation ponds. The sun also resembles "life" and the utilizing of the solar salt ponds is a never ending process. Once the salt has been harvested, the next cycle starts. The various stages of the crystilising process can be seen in the various colours. Thus the 2nd keyword of the title, "pigment", is portrayed in the portfolio with colors ranging from cobalt blue, red to white. The 4th and final image of the portfolio shows the scars from the grader that harvested the salt. The pond is ready for the next influx of saltwater and for evaporation to kick in.
Title: Who is John M
Date: October 2019
Place: Windhoek, Namibia
Group exhibition by NAA (Namibian Arts Association) members

The intention with this group exhibition was to celebrate the birth and legacy of Namibian artist, Johan Muafangejo, on 5 October. Participating artists had to choose one of the titles of John's artworks and use it to create a new art work to be displayed with the original artwork of John Muafangejo. John was known for some peculiar titles and I was very happy to select the title; "The girls are dancing through their arms".

The girls are dancing through their arms #1 The girls are dancing through their arms #2


My main subject matter was a group of dancing Bushman (San) ladies, because the Bushman women do have a day time dance where they are all linked by their arms. I then made 2 composite images. One with the dancing girls imbedded in a concrete wall to resemble a more contemporary rock painting. The 2nd work ended up with the girls dancing in heaven (dreamlike / trance concept) - therefore an image with clouds in the sky was used for the 2nd composite.
Title: Standing Tall - Namibian Men in Transition
Date: March 2020
Place: Windhoek, Namibia
Solo exhibition at the gallery of the Namibian Arts Association

This exhibition took some years to compile. The "artist statement" and copy of the opening speech by professor Andre du Pisani should provide all the necessary information regarding this exhibition.
Title: Yellow Submarine
Date: November 2022
Place: Windhoek, Namibia
Group exhibition by Bellhaus Atelier & Galerie

I associated the "Yellow" component of the Yellow Submarine title with the full cycle of Life.
Thus my submission title: "Life: Aurora to Twilight".
Two images of a mini series of 7 were exhibited.

Different life paths to choose from. Do we have a choice?
Different life paths to choose from. Do we have a choice?



Some have a heavy, scarring imprint while others have a feather light spoor.
Some have a heavy, scarring imprint while others have a feather light spoor.

Method: Conceptual digital image collages. Printed on matte photo paper.
Images and text © 2020 Hentie Burger