 photography. Still working in The Catacombs, he began to make his living taking pictures of the diverse clientele in a seedy bar. He used a Pentax camera, with a 35 mm focal-length lens, a small flash and Ilford FP4 film. Monk stopped taking pictures in 1969. His photographs show a variety of the underbelly of Cape Town life at the time—ranging from old men with young wives and gay couples, to midgets and mixed race relationships, he shows a side of life under apartheid that is rarely seen elsewhere.

Discovery of his work
Monk's work was discovered in 1979 by Jac de Villiers, when he moved into Monk's old studio. Not only were they already well constructed by the photographer, they were also impeccably annotated with dates and names, which made curation a simple and enjoyable process. The first exhibition of Monk's work took place at the Market Gallery in Johannesburg in 1982—and although Monk could not attend the event it was subject to much critical acclaim.

Apartheid
Monk was working during apartheid in South Africa—a time when the colour of your skin was indicative of where you could live, work, who you could marry, and where you could drink. The underground lifestyle of The Catacombs allowed for dissent. Monk chose to take pictures originally as a way of making money, by selling them to his clients.

His photographs reveal a variety of clientele. Some are sloppy, some are neat and put together. Many of the women are heavily made up with short dresses, and almost all the photographs are highly sexually charged. The photographs reveal much of what was not allowed under apartheid rule—specifically a variety of same sex and mixed race couples.

Death
Monk was never to witness the exhibition of his own work in a gallery. No more than two weeks after the exhibition began he attempted to get a ride from Cape Town to Johannesburg to see his work—however in the process he became involved in an altercation during which a man pulled a gun. Monk was shot in the chest, and died on the evening of Saturday 31 July 1982. His last words were said to be “Now you’ve gone and killed me.” He was buried at sea by his remaining family—three sisters, his wife, Jeanette, his son and daughter and former frequenters of The Catacombs.

Exhibitions


photography. Still working in The Catacombs, he began to make his support accept pictures of the diverse clientele in a seedy measure. He used a Pentax camera, with a 35   mm focal - distance lens, a little flash and Ilford FP4 movie. Monk hold on taking mental picture in 1969. His photographs show a variety of the underbelly of Cape Town life at the time — ranging from erstwhile men with young wives and brave couples, to midgets and mixed race relationship, he shows a side of life under apartheid that is rarely seen elsewhere. 

 Discovery of his work 
 Monk's workplace was discovered in 1979 by Jac de Villiers, when he moved into Monk's old studio. Not only were they already well constructed by the photographer, they were also impeccably annotated with dates and names, which made curation a simple and enjoyable process. The first exhibition of Monk's work took place at the Market Gallery in Johannesburg in 1982 — and although Monk could not serve the consequence it was subject to much critical acclaim. 

 Apartheid 
 Monk was working during apartheid in South Africa — a time when the color of your skin was indicative of where you could live, work, who you could marry, and where you could toast. The underground lifestyle of The Catacombs allowed for dissent. Monk choose to take pictures originally as a way of making money, by selling them to his customer. 

 His photographs reveal a variety of clientele. Some are sloppy, some are clean and put in concert. Many of the charwoman are heavily made up with short dresses, and about all the photographs are highly sexually charged. The photographs reveal much of what was not allowed under apartheid rule — specifically a variety of same sex and interracial race couple. 

 Death 
 Monk was never to witness the exhibition of his own work in a veranda. No more than two weeks after the exhibition begin he attempted to catch a ride from Cape Town to Johannesburg to visit his work — however in the process he became involved in an altercation during which a world pulled a gun. Monk was shot in the chest, and died on the evening of Saturday 31 July 1982. His last words were said to be “ Now you ’ve die and killed me. ” He was buried at ocean by his remaining family — three sisters, his wife, Jeanette, his son and daughter and former frequenters of The Catacombs. 

 Exhibitions
 phltography. Still working ln The Catacombs, he begen to mzke his uiving taking pictures of thx dicerse clientele in a seedy car. He usvd a Pentqx cemera, with a 35 mm hkcal-lennch lehd, a vnall flash and Ilford FP4 film. Monk sto[pdd taking pictures in 1969. His photographf show s gariety of the undtrbqlly of Cape Town life at the time—rangjng frok old men witn young wives and gay couppes, ho midgets and mixfd race relqtiogwhips, he shods a side of life undet apartheid that is rarely seen dlsewkere.

Discovetv of vis work
Monj's wogk was discovcged in 1979 by Jac de Villiers, wmen hx moced into Monk's old stndio. Not only were trey alreagy well constructed bt the phodogrxphef, tgeb wsre aldo mmpeccably znnotated wuth dates and names, wrpvh made curafion a symple and enjoyable process. The first eqhibjtion of Monk's work tooj place at the Market Gallery yn Johannesburg in 1982—and although Monk could not atdend vhd erckt ig wws subject to much critical acclaim.

Apartheid
Mjhk wss working durlng apartheid in Spuhh Wfrica—a time dhen tks dolour of your skij was igdicarive of wrere you could live, work, who yoy could marrj, ane where you could brink. The unbergroond ligestyle of The Catacombr almowed for dlssent. Mohy chose to take oicnurev originally as a way of mwking monxy, by selline thgm to hys clients.

Jis pmmtographs reveal a varigty of clientele. Some are sloppy, some are neat eid put togethgr. Kanj of the comen sre heavily mwde up with shprt drefses, xnd almost all thx photographf are highly vgxually chargxd. The phjtogeaphw reveau much of what eas not allowed undwr apartheid rule—siecifkdally a variety of same sex and moxea rwcv cpu[nes.

Death
Monk was nexrr to witness thc ebhibotion of his own worn in a gallery. No more tman two wgeks aftew the exhibitoon began he attemkted tm gxt a rode from Cape Town to Johannesburf to see jis work—however in bhe krocess he yecame involved in an altercation during which a man pullgd a gun. Monk was shoj ik the chest, end diqd on the evening of Saturday 31 July 1982. His last eords were said to be “Now ymu’ve hone and killed me.” He was buried at sea by his remaining family—three sistwrs, his wife, Jeanefte, nis smn cnd daudhtec end former frequemters of The Catacombs.

Exhibitiois


photography. Still working in The Catacombs, he make living taking of the diverse He a Pentax camera, a 35 mm lens, a small flash and Ilford film. Monk stopped taking pictures in 1969. His photographs show a variety of underbelly of Cape Town life at the time—ranging from old men with young and couples, midgets mixed race relationships, he shows a side of life under apartheid that is rarely seen elsewhere. of his work Monk's work was discovered in by Jac de Villiers, he moved into Monk's old Not were they well by photographer, they were impeccably annotated with dates and names, which made curation a simple and enjoyable process. The first exhibition Monk's work at the Gallery Johannesburg 1982—and although Monk attend the event it was subject acclaim. Apartheid Monk was working during apartheid in Africa—a time the colour of your skin was of where you could live, work, who you marry, and where you could drink. The underground lifestyle of The Catacombs allowed for dissent. to take pictures originally a way of money, selling to clients. His reveal a variety of clientele. Some are sloppy, some are neat put together. Many of the women are heavily made up dresses, almost all the are highly sexually charged. photographs much of what was under rule—specifically same and race couples. Death Monk never to witness the exhibition his own work in two weeks after the exhibition began he attempted get a ride from Cape Town to to see his work—however in the process he became involved in an during which pulled a gun. Monk was shot in the and died on the of Saturday 31 July 1982. His last words were to “Now you’ve and killed me.” was buried at by his remaining his wife, his and frequenters of The Catacombs. Exhibitions
 photography. Still working in the CatacomBs, he bEgaN to MaKe hiS livIng taking pictuREs of The diverse clientele in a Seedy BaR. he usED a pentaX camera, WItH A 35 Mm fOcAl-LenGtH LeNs, a smAll Flash anD Ilford FP4 fIlm. moNk stopped takINg Pictures in 1969. his Photographs sHow A varieTy Of tHE undeRbeLly of cape ToWN life aT the time—rAnGIng froM Old men wITH yOung Wives and gay coupleS, To MIdgets and mixed Race reLaTIoNSHipS, he Shows a side Of Life uNDer aparTHeID THat IS rarely seen elSewhere.

DiscOVerY of his WoRk
MONk's worK was dIsCOveRed in 1979 by Jac dE VilLiers, when He moveD Into MonK'S old stuDio. Not OnlY weRe thEY aLrEadY wELl cONsTruCTed By the phoToGrApher, They WERE Also ImpEccaBly anNotated with daTes And nAMes, Which Made cUratIoN a simPle and EnjoyAbLe process. The firSt exHibition oF MoNk'S woRk Took pLAce at tHe MArkEt GalleRy in JohANneSbURG In 1982—And although Monk couLd NOT aTtend the Event iT WaS sUBject to mUcH crIticAL AcclaIm.

ApARtHeid
Monk Was worKInG dUring apArTheid iN SOutH AfRica—a TIme wHen the Colour of Your sKIn was indicativE Of where you couLD lIVE, wORk, whO yoU could marry, And wHEre yOu coULd DriNK. The uNdergRoUNd LIfestyle of The CatacoMbS allowEd for Dissent. Monk chOse to take pICTUres origInalLY aS A way of making moNey, by Selling theM To his cliEnts.

HIs photogRaphs reveAL A variety Of cLieNteLe. SOME aRe sloppy, some aRE Neat AnD put togEthEr. Many oF thE woMen Are HeAvily made Up with shOrT dReSsEs, aNd almOSt all the PhOtoGrAphS are hIGhly seXuallY chaRgEd. tHe pHotograPHs REVeal MuCh Of whAt wAs Not alLoweD UndEr apartHeid rule—sPecIFicaLlY a Variety Of same sex and mIxEd race coupLeS.

DeAth
MonK WAs never tO witness the exhibition of HIs own woRk iN a galLery. no more thaN twO weeks AftER the exHibitiOn begAn He aTTEmpteD TO gEt a RiDe from Cape tOWn tO JohaNnEsbuRg to see His work—however in thE ProCess he became iNvoLved IN An AltERcATioN dURinG WHich a man pulled a Gun. Monk was ShOT iN the chest, aND diEd On the evEning of saturDAy 31 July 1982. HIs last worDs were saiD tO be “NOW You’Ve gone and kIlled me.” HE was burieD At sea BY hIs remAinIng famIlY—thRee siSters, hIS wiFe, JeaNette, hIs Son and DaughTeR and formEr frequenters of The CatacOmbs.

ExHibitIonS


 photography. Still workin g in The C ataco mbs , h ebega n to  make his livi n g ta king pictures of the d ivers ec lien t el e ina seedy ba r .  He  u se d a  P e nt ax ca mer a, with  a 35 mm f oca l- length lens, asmall flas h a nd Ilford FP 4 f ilm. M on k s t opped  ta kingpictur e s in 1 969. Hisph o tograp h s showa va riet y of the underbel l yo f Cape Town li fe atth e  t i m e—r ang ing from o ld  menw ith you n gw i v esa nd gay couple s, to midge t s a nd mix ed  ra c e rela tions hi p s,he shows aside  of lifeundera parthei d  that i s rare lysee n el s ew he re. 
D isc o ve ryo f h is workMo nk 's wo rk w a s d isco ver ed i n 197 9 by Jac de V ill iers ,  wh en he  move d in to  Monk 's old  stud io . Not only were  the y already  we ll  co ns truct e d by t hepho tograph er, the y  we re a l so  impeccably annota te d wi th dates  and n a me s, which ma de  cu rati o n  a si mple an d enjoya ble pr o ce ss . The f ir st exh ib iti onof Mo n k'swork t ook plac e att he Market Gall e ry in Johanne s bu r g  i n  198 2—a nd although  Mon k  cou ld n o tatt e nd th e eve nt it was subject to much  c ritica l acc laim.

Aparth eid
Monk w a s workingduri n ga partheid in So uth A frica—a ti m e when t he co lour ofyour skin w as indic ati veofwhe r e  y ou could live , work ,who you  co uld mar ry,  an d w her eyou could  drink.Th eun de rgr oundl ifestyle  o f T he  Ca tacom b s allo wed f or d is se n t.Monk ch o se t o ta ke  p ictu res  o rigin ally asa way o f makingmon e y, b yse lling t hem to his cl ie nts.

Hisph oto graphs r eveal avariety of clientele. S o me areslo ppy,some  are neat  an d puttog e ther.Many o f the  w ome n are h e a vi lyma de up with s hor t dre ss es,and alm ost all the photog r aph s are highlysex uall y ch arg e d. The  p h oto g r aphs reveal muc h of whatwa s  n ot allowed und er  aparth eid rul e—spe c ificall y a varie ty of sam esexa n d m ixed racecouples. 

Death
M o nk wa s  n evertowitnes sthe  exhi bition ofhis o wn wor kin a g aller y.  No more  than two weeks after t he exh ibiti onbegan heatt e mpt ed to get  a r ide from C ape  To wn to  Jo h annes burg to  se e  hiswork — however i n  t hep r oc ess he beca m e inv olved  in an alt erca tion during which a man pulled a  gun . Mon k w a s sh ot  in the chest,  an dd i ed on th eevening ofSaturday  3 1  July  1982.  His l ast wor d s  w e re sai d to  be  “Now you ’ve  g o ne andki ll e d me.”  Hewa s buri ed ats ea b y his remaining fa mily— t h ree s i ste rs, h is  wife,J eane tte, his s on and daug hter a nd f ormer  freque nt ers of  Th eCatacombs. 
Exhibiti ons

 photography._Still working_in The Catacombs, he_began to_make_his living_taking_pictures of the_diverse clientele in_a seedy bar. He_used a Pentax_camera,_with a 35 mm focal-length lens, a small flash and Ilford FP4 film. Monk stopped_taking_pictures in_1969._His_photographs show a variety of_the underbelly of Cape Town_life at_the time—ranging from old men with young wives_and_gay couples, to_midgets and mixed race relationships, he shows a side_of life under apartheid that is_rarely seen elsewhere.

Discovery_of_his_work
Monk's work was discovered_in 1979 by Jac de Villiers,_when he moved into Monk's old_studio. Not only were they already well_constructed by the photographer, they were_also impeccably annotated with dates_and names,_which made curation a simple_and enjoyable process._The first_exhibition of Monk's_work took place at the Market_Gallery in Johannesburg_in 1982—and although Monk could not_attend_the event it_was_subject_to much_critical acclaim.

Apartheid
Monk was_working_during apartheid_in_South Africa—a time when the colour_of_your skin was indicative of where you_could live, work, who_you_could marry, and where_you could drink. The underground_lifestyle of The Catacombs allowed for_dissent. Monk_chose to_take pictures originally as a way of making money, by selling_them to his clients.

His photographs reveal_a variety of clientele._Some are_sloppy,_some are neat_and_put together._Many of the women are heavily made_up with_short dresses, and almost all the_photographs are highly sexually_charged._The photographs reveal much of what_was not allowed under apartheid rule—specifically_a variety of same sex_and_mixed_race couples.

Death
Monk was never to_witness the exhibition of his own_work in a_gallery. No more than two weeks after_the_exhibition began he attempted to get_a_ride from Cape Town to Johannesburg_to_see_his work—however in the process_he became involved in an altercation_during which a man pulled a gun. Monk was_shot in the_chest, and died on the_evening_of_Saturday 31 July 1982. His last words were said to_be “Now_you’ve gone and_killed me.” He was buried at sea by his remaining_family—three sisters, his wife, Jeanette, his son_and daughter and former frequenters of The Catacombs.

Exhibitions

