Visual Culture and Identity Among South African Youth: An Ethnographic Exploration

Visual culture plays a pivotal role in shaping South African youth identities, reflecting complex social dynamics and cultural heritage. An ethnographic approach was employed, involving participant observation and in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of young people across various urban settings in South Africa. A notable theme emerged from the data regarding the use of street art as a means for youth to assert their cultural identity and resist dominant narratives. Visual culture significantly contributes to the construction of South African youth identities, with particular emphasis on artistic expression as a form of resistance. Further research could focus on longitudinal studies examining how visual culture evolves over time among this demographic.