Huck

Sydelle Willow Smith

Answers On A Postcard — Next up in our Answers On A Postcard series, a visual q&a where photographers answer questions with their images, is South African documentary photographer Sydelle Willow Smith.

To celebrate Huck 46: The Documentary Photography Special II, our annual celebration of visual storytelling, we are having a Huck website takeover – Shoot Your World – dedicated to the personal stories behind the photographs we love.

In this regular series, Answers On A Postcard, we ask photographers to get existential and respond to a visual q&a with their images. Sydelle Willow Smith’s own search for identity guides her lens. The South African photographer was born in Johannesburg and is now based in Cape Town, while working on a Masters degree in African Studies through Oxford University. Sydelle brings her training in Social Anthropology to her photography and explores the multiple layers of identity that we construct around ourselves.

Answers On A Postcard #6

Who are you?

Sydelle-Willow-Smith-Huck-1

Sydelle Willow Smith.

What does home feel like?

Sydelle-Willow-Smith-Huck-2

Wherever I have made it.

What does faith look like?

Sydelle-Willow-Smith-Huck-3

Ephemeral beauty.

What’s your greatest fear?

Sydelle-Willow-Smith-Huck-4

The habit of setting impossible expectations for myself.

What keeps you up at night?

Sydelle-Willow-Smith-Huck-5

Waking from wild dreams in the darkest hours of the night.

What helps you sleep?

Sydelle-Willow-Smith-Huck-6

Quiet neighbours.

What’s the meaning of life?

Sydelle-Willow-Smith-Huck-7

The life-long quest for a lasting sense of inner calm.

Find out more about Sydelle Willow Smith.

You might like

Colourful collage of album covers and record sleeves on display in a gallery or museum setting, with glass panels on either side reflecting the vibrant arrangement.
Culture

Largest-Ever Display of UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Opens at Tate Modern

Grief Made Visible — Comprising hundreds of panels made by lovers, friends and chosen family, the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt returns in full for the first time since 1994 – a testament to grief, friendship and the ongoing fight against HIV stigma.

Written by: Ella Glossop
Rustic footbridge across a river, with people crossing it on a sunny day. Warm tones and shadows suggest an outdoor, natural setting.
Sport

In Medellín’s alleys and side streets, football’s founding spirit shines

Street Spirit — Granted two weeks of unfettered access, photographer Tom Ringsby captures the warmth and DIY essence of the Colombian city’s grassroots street football scene.

Written by: Isaac Muk
Diverse group of people with various expressions and styles, surrounded by bold text and graphics in dark colours.
Culture

Remembering New York’s ’90s gay scene via its vibrant nightclub flyers

Getting In — After coming out in his 20s, David Kennerley became a fixture on the city’s queer scene, while pocketing invites that he picked up along the way. His latest book dives into his rich archive.

Written by: Miss Rosen
Black and white image of several people in suits, some with long hair and unconventional appearances, alongside a large ship or boat model. Text overlaid: "FREAKS AND FINANCES".
Culture

On Alexander Skarsgård’s trousers, The Rehearsal, and the importance of weirdos

Freaks and Finances — In the May edition of our monthly culture newsletter, columnist Emma Garland reflects on the Swedish actor’s Cannes look, Nathan Fielder’s wild ambition, and Jafaican.

Written by: Emma Garland
A collage depicting a giant flup for mankind, with an image of the Earth surrounded by planets and people in sci-fi costumes.
Culture

Why Katy Perry’s space flight was one giant flop for mankind

Galactic girlbossing — In a widely-panned, 11-minute trip to the edge of the earth’s atmosphere, the ‘Women’s World’ singer joined an all-female space crew in an expensive vanity advert for Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Newsletter columnist Emma Garland explains its apocalypse indicating signs.

Written by: Emma Garland
Huck 79

We are all Mia Khalifa

How humour, therapy and community help Huck's latest cover star control her narrative.

Written by: Alya Mooro

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Monochrome logo with wavy design and the text "O'NEILL" in block capitals.
White Adidas logo on black background.

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.