Impact Visuals Photograph Collection

Collection

Identifier: 2003-0047

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection consists of photographs, slides, and negatives, as well as a limited amount of supporting materials and publications. The vast majority of the material relates to South Africa. Other African nations, Holland, Palestine, Yugoslovia, and even New Jersey in the USA are also pictured. South Africa's first interracial elections in April 1994 are particularly well represented in the collection, as are the African National Congress (ANC), Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela, and National Party President F.W. De Klerk. Subjects other than politics include the environment, labor, economics, health, poverty, and cultural life.

Abdul Shariff, one of the photographers who worked for Afrapix and later Impact Visuals, was killed while documenting an ANC event in January 1994. Shariff's curriculum vitae, contract with Impact Visuals, and correspondence with fellow photographer Ansell Horn document the working relationships of a South African photographer.

Dates

undated, 1964-2000 [bulk 1983-1999].
Majority of material found within 1983 - 1999

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

History

Impact Visuals was a New York City-based cooperative photo agency dedicated to social documentary photography. Founded by Michael Kaufman, Impact Visuals operated for 15 years until shutting down in 2001. Most of the images in this collection were obtained when Impact Visuals acquired defunct South African cooperative Afrapix's material. Afrapix was a collective, self-funded group of freelance photographers in South Africa operating between 1982-1992. A few additional images came from Southlight Photographic Agency.

Extent

6.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Photographs, slides and negatives primarily of South Africa and the anti-apartheid movement. Some supporting material on photo cooperatives and the shooting death of Abdul Shariff, one of the photographers represented in the collection.

Arrangement

Supporting material is located first, then all photographs are separated by photographer. Photographs are arranged chronologically with only general subject listings. The collection is not processed to the item level. Individual photographs have been captioned by the photographer.

Organization

Series I: Supporting Material, undated and 1994.

Series II: Abdul Shariff, 1990-1994

Series III: Ansell Horn, 1973-1996

Series IV: Eric Miller, 1983-2000

Series V: Rodger Bosch, 1988-1999

Series VI: Other Photographers in Alphabetical Order, 1964-1995

Acquisition Information

The material in this collection was purchased from the photographers after the dissolution of Impact Visuals in 2001.

Related Material

The University of Connecticut has an ongoing cooperative relationship with the African National Congress and University of Fort Hare to document the history of the ANC. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the Reading Room desk.

Separated Material

Shaken Roots: The Bushmen of Namibia. Text by Megan Biesele. Photography by Paul Weinberg. EAD Publications: Marshalltown, South Africa, 1990. Dodd A4951

Abbreviations

ANC = African National Congress

AWB = Afrikaner Resistance Movement

Cape = Cape Town

COSATU = Congress of South African Trade Unions

Jo'burg = Johannesburg

MK = Mkhonto weSizwe ("Spear of the Nation"--ANC's armed wing)

NP = National Party

PAC = Pan African Congress

PAGAD = People Against Gangsterism And Drugs

SADTU = South African Democratic Teachers Union

SAF = South Africa

SPLA = Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army

SWAPO = South West African People's Party

TEC = Transitional Executive Council

UN = United Nations

WTC = World Trade Center, NYC