Lee-Ann Olwage

Lee-Ann Olwage is a visual storyteller from South Africa who uses collaborative storytelling to explore themes relating to gender and identity. She is interested in using the medium of photography as a mode of celebration and aims to create a space where people she collaborates with can play an active part in the creation of images, they feel tells their stories in a way that is affirming and celebratory.

Her journey in photography began unexpectedly after studying film directing and scriptwriting. Following her education, she spent nine years working as a set decorator in the film industry, an experience that profoundly shaped her approach to narrative and visual composition. Through this background, Olwage developed a keen eye for capturing not just imagery but also narratives. She is particularly interested in reflecting on the way in which different cultures and communities interpret mental health and stories about education. Through her art, Olwage fosters a sense of community and creates vivid narratives filled with possibility.

The Right To Play creates a powerful narrative that sheds light on the challenges faced by millions of girls globally in their pursuit of an education. Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms and practices, poor infrastructure and violence. The project poses the question - What do girls dream of? And what happens when a supportive environment is created where girls are empowered and given the opportunity to learn and dream? What does that world look like?

The result is a poignant exploration of the dreams and aspirations of young girls, challenging societal expectations that limit their potential. By creating a playful world where girls are not confined by poverty, cultural norms, or violence and instead, is shown through a lens that paints a vivid picture of the possibilities that arise when girls are given the opportunity to learn and dream freely. The Right To Play merges storytelling with an imagined playful world where girls are the shown in an empowered and affirming way blooming as the heroines of their own stories and overcoming the many barriers to getting an education.

Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Vogue, The British Journal of Photography, Foam magazine, Geo, The Guardian, Atmos, Vanity Fair Italy, Dazed, Wired, Musee Magazine and IMA Magazine. Notable awards include a World Press Photo Award, 2020, 2023 & 2024, Sony World Photography Awards, 2023, International Women in Photo Award Laurette 2023, Winner of This Is Gender, 2021, Pride Photo Award, 2021, CAP Prize winner, 2022, Marilyn Stafford Fotoreportage Award shortlist, 2021+2022, International Photography Awards Honourable Mention, 2020 and selected for The New York Times Portfolio Review 2022.