Beauty & Power

Various Photographers

1 OCTOBER – 27 OCTOBER 2021

Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street E1 5HU

In celebration of Black History Month, Brady Arts Centre presents works by ten black photographers that explore themes of motherhood, war and identity. The works have been influenced and inspired by covid confinement – a rather dystopian way of living which almost everyone on the planet has been exposed to at some point over the past couple of years. The effect of isolation has made these artists turn inward to themselves and look around their communities in the search of what makes them truly who they are today. The result? Some truly stunning works on culture, perception and personal experience.

All of the photographs in this exhibition had merit, however three photographers in particular stood out for me. The first to catch my eye was Asiko’s series “The Hero That Looks Like Me”. Inspired by the movie posters of Marvels Black Panther, in these images Asiko highlights the importance of representation of black lives for children in the mainstream media. Whilst most of the heroes of the past remain white, Asiko notes “there is nothing more powerful than seeing someone who looks like you on the big screen”. For black children growing up not too long ago, these figures and heroes were absent. There has been some change and movement for the better in recent years, with Disney characters being redesigned and other cultures and nationalities being seen more regularly on screen. However, the message here of empowering young children to be “their own heroes” and aspire to great heights when they don’t have the means to visualise it rings strong and true. The result are four beautifully composed, compelling prints, where the child subject's appear dominant, bold, heroic.

Next up was Dola Posh’s delicate and pure series which explores motherhood. After moving to the UK, Posh struggled to find her feet, which resulted in loneliness, weight loss and a decline in her mental health. Due to these factors, she found herself unable to have a child. However, just before she started treatment, she was given the news that she had managed to conceive and she was elated. With a new found purpose, joy and love she began documenting her pregnancy and journey to motherhood and promised to celebrate her daughter every day. The result? A beautifully honest portrayal of maternal instinct and a poignant reminder of the struggle it took to get there.

The third photographer to catch my attention was Olufemi Olaiya, for their series titled ‘The Unsung’. The series depict African soldiers and are an ode to the men who fought to protect the British Empire and interests, regardless of their tribe, belief and religion. The pictures are so captivating largely due to the bright reds, yellows and greens of the uniform. They also contain images of nature, one with a Lily of the Valley (most notably, a death flower) coming out of a gun, and another being shot in a large open grassland – most likely a previous battle zone. Once you have been drawn in by the aesthetics, a bigger point forms in your mind; why did we not hear about these heroes? Where is their celebration and speeches? It is only then that we truly comprehend the title that Olaiya has chosen and realise how powerful and poignant these images are.

Beauty and Power is only on for the month of October, and whilst I would encourage you to visit it in person, it is also available online. The images are not massive and contained within a community centre around the café which can feel a little intrusive as you’re trying to get a closer view over someone eating their lunch. However, I would always advise against the screen view alone, especially after the past year or so of isolation. A small but mighty exhibition with some beautiful and significant works which address issues that cannot be overlooked or ignored any longer.

OVERALL RATING: ****

https://alternativearts.org.uk/events/beauty-and-power-black-history-month