Behind The Lens: Jean Depara
You've seen his vintage photos reposted on various afro diaspora digital platforms, but how much do you know about the man behind the lens?
Jean Depara was an Angolan-born photographer who worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Depara spent an entire lifetime capturing the people and essence of Kinshasa.
SOURCE: Gallery51Back in the day, Kinshasa was one of Africa's great cities for music and nightlife. Many people from all over the continent and Europe traveled to Kinshasa to experience its urban culture.
In 1951, Depara bought a small Adox camera because he wanted to capture his wedding. He then decided to pursue photography while supporting himself with various odd jobs. Then in 1953, he set up his studio "Jean Whisky Depara" in Kato, Kinshasa. He worked there until 1956, publishing portraits, family photographs, and capturing moments of celebrations.
Source: Gallery51Eventually, his work caught the attention of Franco Luambo and who invited him to come along during a performance. In 1954 Depara became Franco's official photographer. Depara also captured Kinshasa's nightlife from the 1950s to the 1970s, until he became the official photographer to the National Assembly of DR Congo in 1975.
In 1989, he retired as a photographer. Depara passed away in 1997 at the age of 69. He left behind more than 5000 photos, most of which have been reprinted in art books or sold to museums.
Sources: worldmusiccentral/Gallery51/Revuenoire/wiki
