South African photographer Obie Oberholzer has shared his compelling photographic series titled "The Zebra," which tells the unusual story of a zebra living among horses at a mountain resort. The series emerged from an unexpected encounter at Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort, located in the scenic Champagne Valley of Cathkin Park, where Oberholzer discovered a zebra grazing peacefully alongside horses near the property's landing strip.
The photographer's curiosity about this unusual sight led to an amusing exchange with hotel staff. When Oberholzer inquired about the zebra's presence at the reception desk, the young receptionist seemed puzzled by the question and promised to consult with the manager. While waiting for an answer, Oberholzer observed the hotel's lobby, which featured an array of landscape paintings depicting mountain peaks. He later described the aesthetic as overwhelmingly kitschy, writing, "If kitsch was liquid, the floor would have glistened, wet."
The receptionist eventually returned with an explanation that was as intriguing as it was simple: "The manager said that the zebra thinks that it's a horse." Not satisfied with this answer, Oberholzer pressed further, asking about the red chairs positioned nearby. After another consultation with management, the receptionist returned with clarification: "The manager said that it's for people to sit and watch a zebra that believes it's a horse."
This encounter reflects Oberholzer's broader artistic philosophy and approach to photography. He describes himself as "a searcher and a challenger of the self, a seeker, a conjurer and visual explorer of things and objects, from the small to the big and wide." For Oberholzer, photography represents more than just image-making; it's a lifelong passion that drives his continuous exploration of the world around him.
The photographer explains that his creative process never truly stops, even during rest. "There is never an end to my day, for I sense that even when I sleep, there roams a restless spirit that prowls around in search of all that is dreamlike, graphic, compelling and expressive," he writes. As he has aged, Oberholzer notes that his dreams and the roads he travels have only grown longer, reflecting his enduring commitment to his craft.
Oberholzer views his extensive body of work as a documentation of his journeys through life. "My photographs are only pages in a traveler's blog," he reflects. His passion for photography and pursuit of pictorial dreams echoes the sentiment expressed in Elvis Presley's music, specifically referencing the 1961 song lyric: "I'm gonna follow that dream wherever that dream may lead me."
Born on a farm north of Pretoria in 1947, Oberholzer has built an impressive career spanning decades in photography and education. He studied Graphic Design at Stellenbosch University before pursuing photography at the prestigious Bavarian State Institute of Photography in Munich, Germany, where he later earned a Master of Photography diploma. His academic career included teaching photography at the Natal Technikon from 1975 to 1983, followed by his role as Associate Professor in photography in the Fine Art Department at Rhodes University in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) from 1984 to 2002.
Throughout his career, Oberholzer has achieved significant recognition both domestically and internationally. Since 1987, he has produced 16 coffee table books documenting his travels and experiences in Africa. His work has been featured in 37 solo exhibitions across South Africa and 11 exhibitions throughout Europe. As a member of the German picture agency LAIF, he has contributed to numerous international publications, cementing his reputation as a respected voice in contemporary African photography.
