Reframe: Directors’ Cut is the culmination of artistic brilliance from young Black and Black dual heritage creatives across Birmingham, Manchester, and London. Through this film, 77 Black artists, 23 from the West Midlands, confront the pressing issue of climate change with unparalleled depth and creativity, weaving together photography, film and music to create a mesmerising experience that will leave you in awe. We’re inviting you to get together with the community, get inspired and celebrate the achievements made by this talented group of creatives.
Accompanying the film at STEAMhouse is an exhibition of the powerful photography and artwork created for the original installation – as part of a season of work created by artists responding to urgent crisis in the world.
Reframe: The Residency was originally produced by the Southbank Centre with Factory International in Manchester and Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse and Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham, and was supported by Apple. The programme was developed to reach and support Black and Black dual heritage creatives aged 18 – 30 looking to take their career in the creative sector to the next level, and to highlight the need to remain focussed on the climate emergency, for people and for planet.
Stephen Akinyemi sees his photography as dancing with light; as rhyming tones like a poet does with words. The medium gives Akinyemi the opportunity to tell stories without talking, thus removing the language barrier so everyone understands. But the question remains: how do we tell a story of what really matters?
Shemel Rose-Thompson is an established freelance photographer who takes inspiration from her home in Old Trafford, focusing on representations of people and place. Socially conscious and inspired by change, Rose-Thompson is driven by her experiences with the hardships of society and a desire to capture emotion.
Joshua R. Drakes is a versatile creative from Manchester with a passion for photography and graphic design,
who channels his creative energy into crafting visually captivating experiences. Drakes draws inspiration from art, nature and his mother to produce work which blends creativity and the essence of nature.
Ronke Jane Adelakun is a multi-talented artist with a passion for conveying powerful messages through visual storytelling. As a photographer, poet and fashion designer, she showcases the multifaceted nature of Black women and challenges stereotypes. Her photography has appeared in titles including Hello! and Stylist.
Leah Moses is a photographer and videographer from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. Through Leah Storm Content, her studio, Moses makes striking, innovative work driven by her passion for captivating audiences and creating images that linger in their minds.
David Sanya is an artist from Walsall in the West Midlands. He is known for simplistic imagery which often references classical paintings and colonial Nigerian history, and for placing his subjects at the centre of compositions, drawing the viewer into their solitary character.
Christian Emanuel is a film-maker and conceptual portrait photographer who uses film cameras and enjoys the analogue process. He recently developed his first collection of photographs, which featured in the Humanity exhibition at Sotheby’s in London before touring to other notable galleries across the UK.
Robbie Spotswood is a London-based documentary-style photographer of Ghanaian and British descent. Using his camera to create visual poetry, Spotswood aims to share vivid, often dreamlike narratives revolving around notions of place, identity and belonging, in relation to interpersonal experiences.
Daniel Adesina is a creative from Nigeria, whose kaleidoscopic work aims to transform the mundane into something extraordinary. Their lens serves as a gateway to dimensions where fashion, lifestyle and architecture intertwine in a symphony of colour and form, evoking a profound sense of creativity in all who witness it.
Tracy L.M. specialises in conceptual photographic portraiture. She is known for her innovative approach to capturing the raw emotions and hidden aspects of her subjects, and for her expertise in colour grading and post production. Her personal projects document her journey into self-discovery through a spiritual lens.
Four Five Six Ward-Tucker is a London-based photographer who specialises in shooting with analogue cameras and film. Starting out as a street photographer in 2016, Ward-Tucker’s work now encompasses live music, events and studio portraiture.
Filipe Rosario Da Silva is a graphic artist with a background in design engineering, graphic design and product development. His practice combines media including 3D, digital sketch and photography, to create striking work which effectively communicates a message and captures the viewer’s attention.
Tayo Adekunle is a Nigerian British photographer based in London. Her work explores narratives around race, gender and sexuality. Solo exhibitions include Tales of an Absent Truth at studio/chapple and Tayo Adekunle at Workplace Foundation, and she has featured in group shows at Christie’s and the Saatchi Gallery.
Luca Nembhard is a visual artist from Lewisham in London. With a focus on portraiture, he captures the essence of his community and its ever-changing landscape, weaving together past and present to create images that evoke a nostalgic charm while preserving the spirit of the now.
South London-based photographer Kadi Diallo started in street photography, capturing the essence of people and places, before focusing on portraiture and ways it can tell a story. Her evolving style draws inspiration from her surroundings, lived experience, artistic influences and a general interest in people.
Solomon Hughes is a Manchester-based photographer working in fields including documentary and portraiture. He also experiments with video and audio, embracing the added dimensions for artistic expression offered by these media.
Liz Naomi documents moments of stillness and intimacy within Black communities through photography and digital art. Her work explores introspective notions of mental health and identity, with the relationship between humans and nature, and its correlation to individual and collective healing, as a constant presence.
Paris-born, south London-based Charles Mensah is an Afropean photographer and director who has been honing his craft with black & white fashion and portrait visuals. His approach is influenced by the work of Black photographers and artists such as James Barnor, Chi Modu, Darryl Daley and Eddie Otchere, Mensah’s mentor.
French-born Audrey Damier grew up on the outskirts of Paris and the influence of this suburban environment shows up in her photography. Another core influence is the discussion around representation. At the heart of her work is Damier’s belief that it is up to us to support, promote and create the images that we want to see.
Nico Walker is a film photographer who is fascinated by stories. With a background in film-making/production, he has made documentary his primary medium, seeing his camera as a diary to capture meaningful moments and record life as it happens. Walker has used the Reframe residency to experiment with different approaches.
Timon Benson is a self-taught photographer who is interested in using documentary photography to ruminate over the sentimental parts of his life. By recounting these moments, Benson’s aim is to create new, enduring narratives.
Vyannah Campbell-Rose is a photographer who is inspired to use multimedia practices as a means of fully expressing herself in imagery, fashion and abstraction.
Hannah Njoroge is an emerging multidisciplinary artist who aims to think outside the box. Her work explores the world through storytelling, music, painting, writing and photography, pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. Always embracing new possibilities, Njoroge is currently immersed in the world of digital art.
‘We’ll only achieve sustainability/climate justice if we work together…you don’t need any qualifications to be part of the conversation. Remember we are all linked by humanity…differences are only always on the surface. The next generation has the power to change things despite how they have been. You can change things. We only have this one world and it’s in danger. Find a way to help make it a better place’ – Feimatta Conteh
Reframe: The Residency included an incredible mix of artists and creatives from across Birmingham, Manchester and London. We want you to get to know all of them. Get to know them here.
Sophia Tarr is an esteemed pioneer within the dynamic landscape of the STEAM movement, characterized by her unwavering dedication to fostering collaboration, advancing community development, and driving innovation. Her illustrious journey, traversing the multifaceted domains of art, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, is punctuated by transformative experiences and visionary initiatives that aim to shape a future where traditional disciplinary boundaries dissolve. In this visionary realm, creativity flourishes, and the possibilities of innovation remain boundless, consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s deemed achievable.
In her role as the Business Partnerships Manager for STEAMhouse, Sophia demonstrates a steadfast commitment to supporting businesses in their pursuit of success. She goes beyond by offering mentorship, imparting wisdom, and instilling belief in individuals, ensuring that they have the confidence to thrive. An ardent advocate for diversity across all spheres, Sophia places great value on celebrating achievements, regardless of their scale or magnitude. Her passion for inclusivity resonates throughout her work, underscoring her commitment to building a more equitable and innovative world.
