In treating the people who are often being overlooked or taken for granted - but who play a vital role in the society and our economy - with virtuous formality and exhibiting them in a gallery, Hugo presents them to the viewer as individuals with reconsidered status and importance.

She aims to bring to the viewer’s attention the significance of every job and the role it plays in a society and to focus the viewer’s attention not only on the importance of work for survival, but also on its value for psychological well being.

In exploring that aspect of an individual's identity which relates to his or her vocation, Hugo acknowledges the significance of the unique skills necessary for- and the metamorphic ability of every job: “Catching any person in that moment of utmost concentration or excruciating effort while working will show us a person who has, if only for an instant, become his or her work.”

“Sometimes overshadowed by the equipment they use Hugo introduces a level of tension between work and worker. Adding to this tension she plays with the reciprocal gaze established between viewer and viewed. Looking at these workers the viewer becomes the subject of observation!

Hugo exploits the moment captured in her work but refrains from exploiting her subjects. She treats them with sincerity and compassion without being apologetic.”  -Johan Myburg

SA@Work 2010, University of Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg

Worker 2009, Tina Skukan Gallery, Pretoria

KZN@Work 2008, KZNSA Gallery, Durban