Jonathan, Swimming Pool, South Africa 2013 by Sarah Mei Herman is a work the longterm series ‘Julian and Jonathan’ about the triangular relationship between Sarah Mei Herman’s father and half brother Jonathan, who was born when Sarah was already an adult. The memories of a young child are now mirrored in the younger brother. Light, hopeful and intimate, this work is about exploring the family relationship.
“Since 2005 I have been photographing Jonathan alone or together with our father. My memories as a young child, of the relationship with my father, are now in a way mirrored in my half brother. By photographing Jonathan I try to approach our unusual sibling relationship which I am part of at a physical distance. This work is very much about me, and this part of my family, as well as the relationship between a relatively older father and his son.
This photograph of Jonathan was taken during a family trip to my father’s home country South Africa.”
— Sarah Mei Herman