Photo-Fantastic: Creative Photography Course
Photo-Fantastic was launched by the Southbank Centre’s Creative Engagement team to mark the groundbreaking Hayward Gallery exhibition In The Black Fantastic, curated by Ekow Eshun.
This seven-day creative photography course led by Holly-Marie Cato and Eddie Otchere offered emerging Black and dual heritage photographers the opportunity to develop their skills, and prepare for careers in the creative industry, through responses to the content and themes of In the Black Fantastic.
The course participants – all of them London-based and identifying as part of the Black African or African-Caribbean diaspora – received talks, tips and career insight from inspirational artists and professional photographers; Charlie Philips, Mike Crawford, Misan Harriman, Adeolu Osibodu and Ekow Eshun.
Photo-Fantastic gave photographers the opportunity to experience different methods of image-making – digital, analogue film, and iPhone 13 Pro – and editing software. They also worked with a team of predominantly Black creatives, including makeup artists, stylists, hair stylists, lighting technicians and models.
The 15 photographers' final works are presented as a digital exhibition, which celebrates new voices in photography and builds upon Eshun’s vision of 'new narratives of Black possibility'.
Aicha Thomas
‘My first idea is never my final idea,’ says Aicha Thomas of her approach to photography. Inspired by looking at the photographs her mum took of her and her brother when they were young, Thomas made the leap into more serious photography when she picked up her grandad’s old camera. Citing Renell Medrano, and the way she explores her roots, as an influence, Thomas’ photography is honest, warm and intentional.
Charles Mensah
Born in Paris, and now based in Kennington, South London, Charles Mensah first started taking pictures on a friend’s digital camera aged 17. He was inspired to take up photography by Paris fashion week, and the inspiration photography trend on social media site Tumblr. Now 25, Mensah’s timeless approach is influenced by the work of fellow photographers James Barnor, Chi Modu and Joshua Woods.
David Sanya
David Sanya’s many photographic influences include the framing and composition of Jeson Peterson, the story-telling of Jeremy Snell and the colour and calmness of Oghalex. Hailing from East London Sanya has been active as a photographer for two years, in which time he has honed an immersive yet simplistic style. He signed up for Photo Fantastic so as to push the creative boundaries of his work, and explore new territories.
Elizabeth Ireti Bisuga
Born in Manchester, but now based in Lambeth, Elizabeth Ireti Bisuga was inspired to take up photography in part by her grandmother who was a photographer in Nigeria, and also by a want to preserve memories. Story-telling is at the heart of Bisuga’s photography; ‘I’m a drama kid at heart so telling a story comes naturally to me. Once I’ve got my story, I go from there’.
Grace Olanma Etigwe-Uwa
Born in Nigeria and raised in Essex, Grace Olanma Etigwe-Uwa was initially prompted to take up photography in 2015 as a form of therapy, and was inspired to go further into the medium by her father who encouraged her to explore her creativity. Influenced by the artistic approach of Nigerian wedding photographer Bratt, Etigwe-Uwa has adopted a bold, and cinematic style to her work.
Isaac Mensah
Raised in Luton and now based in Tottenham, Isaac Mensah was inspired to take up photography through a want to capture people. ‘As people, we all have different stories to tell and I wanted to document the honest and real side of those stories’. Among the many artists who have influenced his honest, personal approach to taking pictures are Gavin Watson, Ryan McGinley, Alasdair McLellan, Gunner Stahl and Tyler Mitchell.
Ivory Campbell
South London’s Ivory Campbell took up photography in 2020 during the first Covid-19 lockdown. ‘I was working on narrative short films, but I wanted to explore other ways of using a camera and creating narrative’. Campbell is particularly keen to bring heritage to the fore within her work, and is influenced by artists including Tyler Mitchell, Campbell Addy, Zanele Muholi and Paula Rego.
Jade Reynolds-Hemmings
Brixton-based Jade Reynolds-Hemmings was inspired to take up photography by her aunt whose camera she would borrow to take pictures of her friends. Influenced by modern photographers, such as Jessica Kobeissi, Reynolds-Hemmings’ own photography style is one of vibrant, dreamy, colourful images. She signed up for the Photo-Fantastic course in order to challenge herself; ‘I felt stagnant in terms of the photographs I was producing’.
Jannell Adufo
Twenty-one year old Jannell Adufo was inspired to take photos by the photographer William Eggleston. Born in Southwark and based in Bermondsey, she has been taking photos since she was 15, honing a representative style that is intimate and personal. Adufo cites Nadine Ijewere as an unconscious inspiration to her approach to photography, and is also a keen admirer of the work of Tyler Mitchell and Adrienne Raquel.
Kadi Diallo
‘I’ve never felt that comfortable in front of the camera, so I was always first to offer to take the photos,’ says Kadi Diallo of her route into photography. Born in Hertfordshire and now based in Southwark, she cites James Barnor and Charlie Phillips, and their ability to capture people in their element, as a big influence to her own style as a photographer.
Lexi Beattie-Thompson
Having been interested in filmography since they were 15, Lexi Beattie-Thompson made the step into photography just a year ago. ‘I like to create things that look dreamy and uncanny, and I love to share what’s going on in my imagination with friends’. Beattie-Thompson has adopted a dreamy, inquisitive approach to their work that is influenced by film, animation, video games and the ocean.
Luca Nembhard
Lewisham’s Luca Nembhard was inspired to take up photography by his great-grandmother and the large number of photographs she took of him and his relatives when they were young. Nembhard believes it is the capture of real emotion which makes a great picture, and his own colourful and candid approach to photography is influenced by the work of Malick Sidibé, Vivianne Sassen and Hassan Hajjaj.
Patricia Luyindula
Raised in West London of Angolan descent, Patricia Luyindula began shooting photography in 2018 when she discovered a passion for the medium after creating a short time lapse film on London’s nightlife. Luyindula’s photography blends nostalgia with a contemporary modern feel and is influenced by the work of artists including Paul Abu (aka narcography), Ewen Spencer, Josef Adamu and Campbell Addy.
Shea-Anne Shaw
Hackney’s Shea-Anne Shaw has been active as a photographer on-and-off for a number of years, having been drawn into the medium through her education. Shaw’s photography centres on the themes of people, connection and expression and though she enjoys the work of many contemporary photographers she doesn’t feel they have influenced her approach that greatly.
Sofia Mpanda
Born in Amsterdam and now based in Barking, Sofia Mpanda has been exploring photography for a little under a year. She is inspired by her dad who ‘captured every small moment of her lives’. Her explorational and expressive approach was influenced by the work of artist Nick Cave in Hayward Gallery’s In the Black Fantastic exhibition.
Further information about our work with emerging artists and creatives, including how you can get involved, can be found on our talent and artist development page.