Steve Tanchel
PORTRAIT BY THEMBA MOKASE

WHATEVER

it’s mostly true

A creative’s biography is far too important a thing to ever talk seriously about. One’s past and present are not necessarily true, just because they say it is!

This is what we do know about Stevie Tanchel.

He grew up on the wrong side of Louis Botha Ave, in Johannesburg South Africa. Born into the Upper Lower Class. Police records state his first arrest at 11 years old, involved throwing a water bomb into a pram, from the roof of a four-storey building. Miraculously the toddler survived. Lombardy East Police Station would not release the records or mug shots.

Against all limited expectations, Stevie dabbled in Architecture at UCT, finally graduating as a photography major BAFA (HONS) Michaelis School of Fine Arts, Top of class etceteraaaa etceteraaa.

Since then he shot for all major glossies locally and internationally, including VOGUE ITALIA, VOGUE DEUTSCH, DAZED, WALLPAPER, WANTED eteceteraaa etceterraaa.

Along with his commercial photography, Steve started directing commercials in 2008. He has realised campaigns for countless major international brands, some of his greater hits have been awarded at Cannes, D&AD, Clio’s, New York Ad Fest, Loeries and a prized portrait that is housed at the TATE.

He is the CEO of USURPA, A Digital fine Art Gallery and continues shooting both STILL and MOTION pictures with that relentless, live wire energy.

He still looks at the world with his charismatic bright eyes and his unexpected point of view.

Call Steve Tanchel first!

STEVE AT WORK

8 FRAMES
Steve at work 01
AT WORK · 01ABOUT
Steve at work 02
I CAN CHANGEABOUT
Steve at work 03
YOU HAVE AWFUL TASTE IN MUSICABOUT
Steve at work 04
WHATABOUT
Steve at work 05
AT WORK · 05ABOUT
Steve at work 06
CARPE DMABOUT
Steve at work 07
AT WORK · 07ABOUT
Steve at work 08
BITCH STOLE MY LOOK ON THE NEWSABOUT

BEHIND
THE SCENES

01 REEL

ARTICLES

4 PIECES
2024USURPA’S NFT-POWERED WORLD OF POSSIBILITIESSHELFLIFE 2024USURPA’S CUTTING-EDGE DIGITAL GALLERY IS HEADING TO THE MOTHER CITYDESIGN NEWS 2023THE NEW MEDIUMDESIGN INDABA 2023EXAMINING HUMAN COMPLEXITY VIA DIGITAL ARTFEATURE

CALL ME.

CONTACT STEVE OR OUR EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
STEVE TANCHEL
PHOTOGRAPHER · DIRECTOR
ADAM THAL
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER · STAR FILMS
SASKIA ROSENBERG HAAK
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER · STAR FILMS
STUDIO
JOHANNESBURG, ZA
INSTAGRAM
© STEVE TANCHEL — 2007–2026SITE BY THE STUDIO