ART + CULTURE: A series of surreal scenes centred around hair
Images: Pol Kurucz
Hair: Wellington Fontinele + Emily Santos
Interview: Magdalena Frank
Hair Stories presents a variety of whimsical scenarios with hair at their centre. The series was created by photographer Pol Kurucz, a former finance manager and theatre director whose career took a dramatic turn in 2011 when he founded Kolor Art Collective. Together, this group of six creatives have produced a provocative body of work which delves into subject matters including gender, feminism and the politics of beauty.
“Hair Stories is about what women want to say through their hair, what their hair says about them, and the underlying contradictions between the two”
How would you describe your photographic style? Non primary, non binary.
What is the ethos of Kolor Art Collective? To question all norms, aesthetics, genders etc. Getting the best professionals, artists and tools on boardto be loud enough and reach as many people as we can.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Hair Stories? It was inspired by one of my favourite songs by India.Arie, which is called I am not my hair, but extended to all races. Hair Stories is about what women want to say through their hair, what their hair says about them, and the underlying contradictions between the two.
Is the series an extension of themes you have explored in the past? Totally – with Hair Storieswe were exploring how unusual, eccentric and non-conformist hair can be an expression of the female soul, but also how sometimes it can betray it and be its own dissonant voice.
What are the most exciting and challenging elements of creating work as a collective? The most challenging is giving each other creative space while maintaining a consistent visual identity, and protect egos while shaking them up. The most exciting thing is, without a doubt, exploring new grounds together.