Molelo wa Badimo

Molelo Wa Badimo, a three-part character portrait series (Complexion, Pigment and Hue), documents and shares the perspectives of people living with vitiligo, a skin condition that causes depigmentation on sections of the skin.

Reatile explores and debunks the myths around the condition, and documents individuals' life experiences using collaborative character portrait photography. A collaborative project between Reatile and the individuals featured focuses on co-creating and sharing intimate accounts of individual experiences of vitiligo.

Reatile creates a greater awareness about the skin condition; clarifying its misconception by focusing on beauty, identity, self-acceptance and dispelling societal myths about vitiligo. Reatile seeks to inspire a renewed dialogue on beauty. The project delves into the perceptions implied on those living with vitiligo, commenting on its social positioning in culture, spirituality and photography.

Complexion

Complexion is the first part of the Molelo Wa Badimo series. It was photographed in 2012, using large format photography. These portraits were captured with the idea to showcase the individuals and tell their story. Images from Complexion were documented using artificial light in studio as opposed to Pigment, which was photographed on location using only ambient natural light.

Pigment illustrates individuals living with vitiligo against the backdrop of wildlife, an element or symbol of the condition having a spiritual and cultural meaning – a connection with the ancestors and being gifted.

Hue is the third and final part of the project, documenting and showcasing the lives of people living with vitiligo in colour as a means to look beyond the skin and its condition. Embracing a contemporary visual aesthetic, each image serves as a testament to the tranquil connection shared between man, animal, and environment. This is achieved by consolidating a decade’s worth of tacit knowledge to represent and conclude the vitiligo project.

The MWB segment, “Complexion”, captures the raw tension of the human gaze — where skin becomes both subject and spectacle, commanding attention so intensely it almost eclipses the being it belongs to.

Sechaba Mamabolo's Profile, 2012
Pretoria/Tshwane, South Africa

By capturing the quiet terror of existing in a world that feasts on the beauty within, yet refuses to honour the beauty that lives on the surface, Reatile Moalusi pioneered the awareness of vitiligo in South Africa — gaining recognition from Marie Claire, Vogue, and The New York Times.

Pigment

The photographer frames the model against animal skin, drawing a visceral parallel between two beings marked by beauty - both hunted, both exalted. In this juxtaposition, the work confronts a haunting truth: we celebrate animal skin so deeply - we lay it in our homes, yet we flinch at the raw, sacred beauty when it lives on human flesh. The stigma imposed on people living with vitiligo often results in the slaughter of them for African spiritual practices. The hide also acts as a symbol of cultural practices in connecting with the ancestors.

Intentioned to showcase human beauty without the burden of explanation, the photographer trusts the audience to interpret beauty in the commonalities between man and animal.

Hue

Unpublished, captured in 2023.

Hue goes a step further to redefine the boundaries of beauty that have often been dictated by societal norms, leaving those with skin tones divergent from the mainstream narrative relegated to the periphery. Whether it be vitiligo, piebaldism, albinism, or freckles, individuals embodying these variations have often found themselves marginalised and stigmatised, viewed through lenses of curiosity and misunderstanding.

Drawing inspiration from the ground-breaking work of contemporary artists who challenged conventional beauty standards on a global scale, “HUE - The Sentient Being” emerges as a natural evolution from its predecessor, “COMPLEXION” & “PIGMENT”. Through a fusion of artistry and social commentary, “HUE” seeks to broaden perceptions of beauty by celebrating the diverse spectrum of man and animal.

At its core, this project endeavors to encapsulate the innate beauty of diverse skin tones by drawing parallels with the animal kingdom. Just as nature embraces diversity within its species, the juxtaposition of human subjects with animals serves to illuminate the profound beauty inherent in both. Through meticulously crafted compositions, “Hue” sparks a dialogue on the intrinsic harmony between humanity, fauna, and the natural world. From serene pastoral scenes to mist-shrouded landscapes, the backdrop of nature's canvas provides a poignant backdrop for the celebration of diversity.

By prioritising accessibility and flexibility, the project eschews traditional constraints, opting instead for a fluid approach that embraces the inherent beauty of spontaneity.

Scheduled around the availability of both models and natural environments, “Hue” navigates the intersection of art and reality with grace and intentionality. Through a masterful series of images ranging from full-length portraits to intimate close-ups, the project endeavours to challenge contemporary cultural norms, offering a resounding affirmation of the beauty found in diversity.

iBheshu, iNsizwa, iSibaya (Unpublished), 2023
Tugela River, Kwazulu, South Africa

Sekgweng (Unpublished), 2023
Muldersdrift/Gauteng, South Africa