Pieter Hugo’s Congolese Wrestlers and Jo’burg Soccer Fans

June 02, 2010



Pieter Hugo is best known for his images of the Hyena Men, a group of traveling performers from Lagos, Nigeria, who use wild animals as a part of their act—although For the his first solo show in France the South African photographer is focusing on performers of a slightly different variety. Unlike WWF champs, the Congolese wrestlers only engage in mental combat, flexing spiritual prowess via elaborately crafted ensembles. However these super-powered dudes should not be confused with fans of Johannesburg soccer team, the Orlando Pirates, who put the rest of the world's football hooligans to shame with amazing cross-dressing flourishes like these. The exhibition at Colette in Paris runs through July 3, and also includes a series of Boy Scouts photos. Take a peek after the jump.



Pieter Hugo’s Congolese Wrestlers and Jo’burg Soccer Fans