John Baloy

John Baloy is a Johannesburg-based photographer and visual artist, born and raised in the township of Evaton West, South of Johannesburg. From a young age, Baloy had a deep passion for the arts, particularly in drawing and sketching. His interest was further ignited in high school when he studied visual arts, solidifying his desire to pursue a career centered around creativity. Though he didn't have the opportunity to study art formally after high school, he begun working as a graphic designer before transitioning into the mining industry as an Automotive Electrician, a role he held for four years.

In 2013, inspired by Instagram accounts like Iseeadifferentyou, Rog Walker, Street Etiquette, and Andile Buka, Baloy's interest in photography grew. His exposure to their work led him to buy his first camera, and photography quickly became a consuming passion. Realizing that weekend shooting wasn't enough, he decided to pursue photography full-time, quitting his job in 2017 to become a freelance photographer.

Since then, Baloy's career has flourished. He has collaborated with notable brands such as Bombay Sapphire, Adobe, Adidas, Markham, Mr Price, and Bisquit Cognac. His work has been featured in prestigious publications, including DESTINY magazine, and he has exhibited his photography internationally at the AKAA Art Fair in France and the Abantu Exhibition with Dyman Gallery in 2019.

Baloy’s photography documents the unique experiences of Black people through a surreal, Afrocentric lens. His work seeks to portray people of color as living works of art, challenging conventional narratives and encouraging subjects to view themselves with pride and reverence. His themes evoke alternative perspectives, aiming to educate and inspire self-reflection and empowerment.