Eza Ngam, multidisciplinary artist based in Johannesburg, South Africa

Eza Helder Ngam is a multidisciplinary artist whose work delves into contemporary themes such as healing, poverty, love, trauma, mental health, vulnerability, sin, and spirituality. Through digital manipulation, photography, poetry, and storytelling, he captures deeply personal and collective narratives that challenge and inspire.

My journey began in childhood with drawing and writing, which laid the foundation for my later explorations in visual Art. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, I discovered photography as a powerful outlet transforming boredom and insecurity into creation and connection.

I am currently based in Centurion, Gauteng, and work as a Junior Solutions Architect in the tech space.

In 2022, Eza exhibited at the AVA Art Gallery in Cape Town and the Yebo Art Gallery in Eswatini and was featured in BONA magazine. In 2023, his project, The Shadows, which explores the hidden thoughts and emotional depths of young men, was showcased at Fame Week Africa and the South African National Museum of Science and Technology under the mentorship of the Emerging Artists Programme and later exhibited at Art on the Block in Sea Point, Cape Town.

In 2024, a photograph from Primordial Enigma, another long-term project, earned him second place in the South Africa region for Pexels' Road Trip Across Africa challenge further cementing his place as a visual storyteller with a passion for capturing narratives that transcend borders.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

My Goodness! This has to be the most challenging thing to do, not because I don't know myself, but because I am many things to many different people.

“I am a paradox: one of the most ambitious people, yet a procrastinator. I am so loving, yet my heart still carries resentment. I am a peacemaker, but I am not hesitant to deal with those who harm my loved ones. I love order, but my mind and heart hold so much chaos. Thanks to Art, I can channel all the pandemonium without causing harm to others. In essence, I am human.”

Art found me early in life, first through drawing and writing and later through photography and digital manipulation. During the COVID-19 lockdown, what began as boredom quickly became healing as I turned the lens on myself and others to explore themes like trauma, spirituality, mental health, and love. My work, whether visual or written, is a mirror, reflecting both my own story and the shared human condition.

As a Junior Solutions Architect working in tech by day and a multidisciplinary artist by night, I constantly balance the logic of code with the fluidity of creativity. My life is a balance of structure and surrender, of data and dreams. With every project I release, I remind myself: People don't exist until you meet them, and I hope my work helps people meet a part of themselves, too.

Fun Fact: Ever since I started photography in 2019, I've never owned a single camera, from the Pentax X5 to the Nikon D3500, which my friend lent me. Unfortunately, it was stolen during a break-in at the house in April 2025.

How did you first become interested in photography?

My photography journey began in 2019 when my brother bought himself a Pentax X5 camera. He took a picture of me, and I decided to upload it to Pexels, a platform he introduced me to. Months later, when I checked the views on that picture, I was utterly blown away by the numbers. That moment sparked something in me. Then, during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, I began to explore photography more intentionally, starting with capturing my siblings and later my friends, who make up the majority of my catalogue today. Pexels became more than just a platform; it became a source of constant inspiration. Seeing the work of other creatives continues to fuel my love for visual storytelling and keeps my passion for photography burning strong.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche?

I work mainly with portrait photography, whether it's fine Art or fashion. I began with an interest in modelling, but that shifted when my brother started sending me to some of his gigs. I realised I was good, but more than anything, I was drawn to the intimate conversations I'd have with my subject, the model. In varsity, I began to be drawn to nature flowers, trees, and especially the sky as well as architecture. The geometry in buildings never ceases to amaze me. I've also developed a growing love for cars; it's a type of photography I want to explore more.

With human subjects, I get to see the world from a different reality and perspective. With nature, I reflect more, those silent moments help me appreciate the details and beauty I would've missed if I weren't a photographer. Architecture and cars are remarkable examples of engineering that showcase the power of the human mind and the capabilities of humanity. Through them, I get to appreciate the creations of others.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography?

At the core of my photography are themes of healing, vulnerability, identity, mental health, love, trauma, and spirituality.

I'm deeply interested in exploring the human experience, especially the unspoken realities that many people carry in silence. My work often reflects personal and collective journeys, influenced by my own experiences of distance from family, navigating life as a young man, and the introspection that came during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Through intimate portraiture, natural elements, and architectural forms, I use photography as a visual language to spark thought, reflection, and conversation. I believe stories, whether told through a face, a flower, or a building, have the power to enlighten, heal, and connect. My images aim to create space for others to feel seen, understood, and inspired, especially those who often live in the shadows, afraid to express themselves fully.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

One of the proudest moments in my photography journey was my first exhibition at AVA Art Gallery in 2022. It was more than just an exhibition, it was a powerful affirmation that my work carried meaning and impact. To see my Art displayed in such a respected space was a testimonial that my voice, through photography, mattered that the stories I was telling were resonating with others. It gave me the courage to keep creating with intention.

What's been the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges I've faced as a photographer was during the creation of The Primordial Enigma Project in 2022. Midway through, my camera broke, and I was unable to complete the project. I eventually had it repaired, only for it to fail again in December 2023.

This time, I didn't fix it. I put it away in my wardrobe, and in April 2025, during a break-in at my home, it was stolen. Losing it was devastating, not just because of the camera, but because I had already been neglecting my gift, consumed by the demands of my corporate job.

That loss became a turning point. It taught me that sometimes, to make space for greater things, you must first let go of the good things you're clinging to. It also reminded me of just how much photography has given me—purpose, healing, and deep human connections.

Though I've now gone over a year and five months without shooting, I've been revisiting my archives and sharing previously unpublished work, with Primordial Enigma being the last complete project I released. This period has renewed my appreciation for Art and its impact on my life.

If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be and why?

If I could collaborate with anyone, it would be Digital Sangoma. The music he creates is incredibly melodic and calming, it has carried me through editing sessions after shoots, moments of loneliness, exam prep marathons, and last-minute submission battles.

One song in particular, "Uyathandwa Ekhaya (Stripped Down Version)," found me while I was travelling back to Cape Town for my second semester of the second year. It became a soft reminder of why I fight for my vision. His sound feels like home, and I imagine a collaboration where visuals and sound merge to tell deeply moving stories.

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What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon your platform, but I'm sure it was through Instagram when you were still called PhotoRuum. I instantly fell in love with the concept, building a community for African photographers, creating a space where creatives can showcase their gifts to the world, and providing opportunities to make a real impact.

This kind of platform fosters a culture of collaboration and teamwork, which has been the foundation of every project I've worked on. It's through that spirit of cooperation that I've been able to create and grow as an artist.

To be honest, I'm intrigued by, and in love with, the new name 54Ruum. It presents a sense of uniqueness and authenticity that feels deeply rooted and unshakable.