Image Credits: Blue Kizozo, Jameisha Prescod FRSA

‘To be in the margins is to be part of the whole but outside the main body.’  bell hooks

The Photography Foundation x NOW Gallery: Black History Month NOW Later

6pm-10pm

The Photography Foundation creates pathways into photography and creative careers for underrepresented and less advantaged young adults in London through education and work experience, valuing talent and motivation over who you know or where you come from. 

During Black History Month, on Thursday 26th October (6-10pm) TPF will be taking over the NOW Gallery to host a NOW Later.  

This evening will focus on Black photographers and artists whose work subverts mainstream representations of the Black experience. The event will be discursive in nature, celebrating photography and moving image by Black British artists who are outside of the mainstream.  

The night will centre around a diverse selection of TPF collaborators in conversation about the themes of their work with TPF alumni. There will be a live DJ set throughout the night, with a banging set of BHM inspired tunes, discussions, live readings, as well as a short film screening throughout the night. 

Throughout the evening, alongside the main programme, there will be supplementary interactive activities that guests can get involved with.

Programme:

6pm – Doors open

6.30 – Q+A with Dexter McLean (facilitated by Fikayo Adebajo)

7pm – Film screening + Q+A with Jameisha (facilitated by William Sousa)

7-30pm – DJ set by Secret Luvvr

8pm – Reading and Q+A with Blue (facilitated by Kevin Audience)

8.30-9pm – Afternoon Tea Live podcast with Ebony Louise Barrett

9pm – late – Closing DJ Set

Other activities taking place throughout the evening: 

Photobooth sponsored by Fujifilm – we will have a selection of backdrops and props for people to create their own mini photo shoots, responding to the themes of the evening. There will be a chance to win a camera by tagging TPF, NOW and other sponsors in your photos. 

Postcard responses – there will be a chance for all guests to respond to the exhibition, talks, and screening via postcards. These will then be hung up in the space as a mini-installation. The postcards will be designed by TPF alumni, Martha Tesfamichael.

Film screening – throughout the evening, Jameisha’s film will be screened for guests to watch and discuss, there will be facilitators that will guide the discussion.

Collaborators – TPF are collaborating with photographers and multidisciplinary artists whose work intersects disability, chronic illness, queerness, faith, and subcultures.  

 TPF trainees, volunteers and alumni – TPF will be inviting their community of photographers and creatives to assist on the night. From facilitating discussions, talking about the training programme,  facilitating responses to the film, encouraging attendees to engage with the photo booth and selling TPF  zines. 

Secret Luvrr (she/her) – Throughout the evening, we will have a Black History Month inspired DJ set, which will play in between the programmed talks and screenings. The DJ for the evening will be Secret Luvvr, a rising star DJ & sound artist, specialising in playing hidden gems from around the world. Secret Luvvr will be playing a DJ set throughout the evening spanning the spectrum of Black music from around the world.

Ebony Louise Barrett (she/they) – TPF alumni, Ebony is a fashion photographer, creative director and the founder of Bon Bon magazine, a Kawaii fashion magazine. As a Black mixed-race, pansexual woman, Ebony’s influences are drawn from the stories of her peers as well as her own personal experiences. Ebony recently launched a podcast, Afternoon Tea, exploring Western Kawaii culture. During the event, Ebony will host a live episode of Afternoon Tea, with special guests.

Blue Kizozo (they/them) – Blue is a photographer from London, whose work explores themes of faith, subcultures, Afropunk, and queerness. Blue self-describes as a Black Anti Culture Photographer. Blue will be performing some of their journalistic writing during the night and talking about their work related to faith, queerness, and alternative approaches to family. A selection of their work will be exhibited digitally throughout the evening.

Dexter McLean (he/him) – Dexter is a London-based photographer living with cerebral palsy. His family moved to the UK from Jamaica when he was nine. Having faced discrimination and lack of support during his formative years in the UK, Dexter uses photography as a tool to document his struggles, and to challenge stereotypes of disability. During the event, Dexter will digitally exhibit a series of nude self-portraits, which confront taboos about disability and sexuality. He will talk about his experiences of sharing this work, as well as his upcoming photography project exploring disability in Jamaica.

Jameisha Prescod FRSA (they/them) – Jameisha is an artist-filmmaker, producer, and writer from South London. Specialising in documentary, experimental film, video journalism and immersive visual art, they are driven by authentic storytelling and apply creative digital techniques to uncover powerful human experiences. Jameisha is the founder and creative director of You Look Okay To Me, an online space for chronic illness. During the event, Jameisha’s latest project, short film ‘Black Pain’ will be screened. There will be questions and a chance to respond to the themes in the film, through an interactive postcard installation.

Fujifilm – This event has kindly been sponsored by Fujifilm. During the evening guests will be able to take photos using the Fujifilm Instax cameras in our immersive photo booth. There will be a photo competition taking place during the event, with the chance to win a camera.