As the cultural and social hubs of South Africa’s townships,
barbershops and salons serve not only as places to get your
hair styled but as places to gather, gossip and come together
as a community. They also happen to showcase sharp and
snappy vernacular designs: renditions of the haircuts on offer
as well as typographic demonstrations of each shops name.
barbershops and salons serve not only as places to get your
hair styled but as places to gather, gossip and come together
as a community. They also happen to showcase sharp and
snappy vernacular designs: renditions of the haircuts on offer
as well as typographic demonstrations of each shops name.
In South African Township Barbershops & Salons, Simon Weller
presents his vivid photographs of these shops, their signage and
their patrons alongside interviews with the proprietors, customers
and the sign makers. Internationally acclaimed South African
designer Garth Walker contextualizes these homemade signs
and together with Weller’s atmospheric images of the townships
across South Africa where these barbershops and salons are
found, the case is made that these establishments reveal a
great deal about South Africa today and the people who live
in the townships.
presents his vivid photographs of these shops, their signage and
their patrons alongside interviews with the proprietors, customers
and the sign makers. Internationally acclaimed South African
designer Garth Walker contextualizes these homemade signs
and together with Weller’s atmospheric images of the townships
across South Africa where these barbershops and salons are
found, the case is made that these establishments reveal a
great deal about South Africa today and the people who live
in the townships.
