Wani La Frére has grown up taking photos. It has been his way of expressing himself.
“I saw the world very visually but could never express how I saw it verbally,” he says.
“I wanted to show things, to tell stories … and photography is how I did it. It helped me make sense of the world.”
The 26-year-old Manor Lakes photographer is now exhibiting his work in RACE, a nine- week program hosted by Wyndham council, exploring issues of race and racism while attempting to break down barriers and stigma.
La Frére will be exhibiting A La Sape, a collection of photographs that he says encapsulates a Congolese movement that explored what it means to be an African male.
La Sape, he says, was a movement that traced back to the Belgian colonisation of the Congo.
“Only the elite would dress up, only they could wear that sort of style,” he says.
“Some of the Congolese decided to use this thing that was used to oppress them and turn it around. They would dress in these bright outfits too … this really unique style.”
He said the photographs also challenged what it meant to be a black African male.
“It messes with that stereotype, shows that you can be something else.”
RACE also features other forms of art, and includes films, talks and performances, all exploring race.
RACE runs until September 3.
For a full program of events, go to www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/race
