About the Artwork
 Bang by Lorraine van Wyk is a fine art photograph that invites viewers into a quieter, more intimate expression of masculinity. A bearded man tilts his head, eyes gently closed, as if caught in a moment of vulnerability. Cloaked in warm golds and soft beige, with subtle touches of charcoal textured impasto paint – thickly layered to evoke movement and depth – the subject radiates strength tempered with softness. Van Wyk’s use of colour draws inspiration from Kintsugi, the Japanese tradition of mending broken pottery with gold, suggesting that fragility can become part of one’s strength and story.
This work is often displayed in visual dialogue with van Wyk’s Bomber, offering a layered perspective on masculine identity. Where Bomber may portray outward intensity, Bang reflects inward emotion and a stillness that speaks to the beauty of surrender. Lorraine van Wyk, a prominent name in South African fine art photography, brings both technical mastery and emotional nuance to her portraits, making Bang a striking addition to any contemporary art collection.
