D.Wiafe

Not Now, Not Now S/o to the team behind ‘The Install’ bringing you shenanigans from the 1st ever cohort of BA (Hons) Commercial Photography as they gear up to present a showcase of work exploring new visions of youthfulness. You can see the work at ‘At The Threshold Of The Self’ at London College Of Communication (SE1 6SB) from the 13th - 21st of May. Opening Night 12 May (6-9) Not Now, Not Now Filmed and Edited by @yanakozar Produced by @josielaphoto Hosted By @elobadri Featuring @_emmahua @kadeenbrown._ @marr.fzb @pictureswithgurtej @aemilia.photo @morganevansdixon @_sherinkhatun @lilasfavero milliebvevans Special Thanks @lcclondonphoto @lcclondon

The making of one of Photofusion’s biggest show openings to date. Thanks to a special collaboration between @photofusionuk , @cockaynefoundation , @minititleltd , @imagine.ldn and @captureone , last year we were able to explore what music meant to a new generation of creatives who have been using our Creators Studio mentoring programme to develop their talents. Always snapping away when he’s not multi-tasking , our Youth Engagement Manager @_dwiafe , captured memories of how our nine of our young talents brought their visions of Muslim Sisterhood, Grime Culture, Pole Dance and more to life. Seeing these memories are a constant reminder of the value of providing spaces for under-represented talents in the arts when the challenges that face them often go unspoken and unheard. S/O to our incredible artists and the many talents and folk that featured in the work, lent a supporting hand or showed love throughout this journey. Jannell Adufo @jannelladufo Charles Mensah @mensaach M Camila Bañol Montoya @calling4camilaa & Lizbeth E Peña Pilla @liz_x_beth_ Esraa Mohammed @esraasarchive Henos Adhanom @by.haych Atlanta Downes @atlantadownes Erin Hambly @erinhamblh Sage @sage.complex This work was supported by the Cockayne Grants for the Arts (@cockaynefoundation ), a Donor Advised Fund, held at The Prism Charitable Trust. It has also been supported by agencies @minititleltd and @captureone , with kit loans from @lcclondonphoto . A special thanks to @centralfilmschool for the use of their film studio and to @imagine.ldn for their generous support in the post production of the work.

“We didn’t get to do any of that when I studied Photography at uni”. Hear that enough times and you realise that you and the BA Photography & Creative Industries team are building something special. Last week, we took our second visit to Kingswood House which gave our new first years the opportunity to work with emerging stylists handpicked by the amazing @alizedemange , dance talent curated by movement director @myacav and set design provided by @aleksashinamarina . This was all under the watchful eye of our newest tutor @emilywhte who brought onboard a fire glam team (@calliefx , x_sjourdan) to support our students in experiencing what it feels like to collaborate and shoot on-set. Our OG second years were treated to a masterclass in cinematography from DOP @ricardomclearycampbell and gaffer @kongwako from @liteworx.tv who brought down their van of pro lighting kit for the squad to play around and experiment with. This all built on a visit last year where the OG year 2 group took over @kingswood.arts to create their first editorial images. Love to @adrianwood , @lcclondonphoto , @nas_abraham , @letsbebriefcrew , @mayerkatja and more who have supported this crazy journey in crafting a new vision of what it looks like to study for a degree in Photography. Work like this, which results in students last year rewarding us with CSS results with no score under the 90%, takes a village. So blessings to our colorful community of guests, techs, homies, industry connects and agency plugs who make it all possible and our students who always bring the vibe. All love always. s/o Stylists nnenna_maria styledbysot styled.ldn wickedwitchofwestlondon wonuadeola iriegonah Dancers @ellen0liver @jayda_ang @wiy00m @astridtozer Lighting @howimwastingtime Special Thanks Jack, Lucia and the team at @kingswood.arts

We Outside Nice to be able to share a collaboration between The Creator’s Studio at @Photofusion , @lambeth_council and @mufarchitectureart ; the architects behind the new space at Beehive Place. Over the summer, Camilla, Erin, Atlanta and Lina - who are mentees on Photofusion’s mentoring programme run by @_d.wiafe - worked with fashion photographer @niallhodsonphotography . Niall delivered workshops in interacting with the public, shooting on film, colour printing and more which helped the creatives to realise their vision of sourcing fabrics from local storeowners to create backgrounds for pop up studio events. Each shoot was a way of putting a spotlight on the cultural life of the Brixton Rec Quarter and reimagining Beehive Place as a space for creativity by new talent in Photography. Photographers and Creative Directors @calling4camilaa @erinhamblh @atlantadownes @longllive5 @zionstillives With features from @hemp101.store @_timothyrobinson @skyy_i @beth_pearceyx @djagonline @aziz_hamidi6 @korre Special Thanks To @chai.knee @esraasarchive @lattiinaaaa @adrianwoodphoto @daria_pyshna

What A Week   It's crazy how the seed of an idea can suddenly become a reality. Early conversations with @lukeandnik have now turned into their debut London show "Reconstructed Nature" at Photofusion in Brixton. The show is Photofusion's second exhibition at it's new home in BeeHive Place was  an opportunity to work with exciting emerging artists to challenge how a gallery space can interact with its audience. With this in mind, we used a pop up studio on the opening night and a workshop in Brockwell Park to invite a community of creatives into Luke & Nik's playful approach photography. s/o to the incredible team including curator @jesswan___ , production extraordinarie @bethancarterwoodhouse , tech genius @aalixyah  and the whole team @photofusionuk at whose creativity and hard work brought this to life. Love also to all the workshop participants and to support from @parallaxcoop  and @lcclondonphoto with kit and film that made the workshops possible.   Be sure to catch the show which runs until the 20th July 2024   Workshop Participants Amber @amber.photog Athul @athulprasad Erin @erinhamblh Isabel @_isobaldi Hanna @hanna_lautreamont Nadim @nadim_kurimbokus Saiint @lattiinaaaa Shakyrah @chai.knee Simran @simran.dhanu Tsipora @tsipora_st.clairknights Songs 3LACKONDABEAT & Lavender by Jensmüller

Join us next Friday 6-8pm for a discussion on 'Collaboration in Photography’ as part of our solo exhibition '𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨' @photofusionuk How do we forge new perspectives when we look at photography through the lens of collaboration? In this talk, artist duo Luke & Nik will discuss their collaborative exchanges across the British coast and wildlands in Denmark as they seek to embrace the unpredictable power of nature. Together they will talk through their journey and friendship, and where they hope their collaboration positions the stories of individuals to get closer to our surrounding nature. This conversation is moderated by Jessica Wan (Curator of the exhibition) and joined by Derek Wiafe (Photofusion Youth & Community Engagement Manager). Book your free ticket via link in bio! About the speakers @lukeandnik are an artist duo based in Copenhagen and London respectively. Their collaboration started in 2007, creating vibrant, playful and dynamic photography and moving image work across the realms of editorial and commercial to personal projects. @jesswan___ is a curator and writer who works to rethink access from the perspectives of transnationalism, migration and feminist thought. Dedicated to exploring how knowledge and inhabitation is produced through fugitivity and entanglement, her research focuses on radical pedagogies and artistic practices that reflect on ecology, diaspora and collective study. She has lectured and facilitated workshops at the Chelsea College of Arts, Tate, iniva and TrAIN. @_d.wiafe is an artist, educator and the Course Leader of BA (Hons) Commercial Photography at The London College of Communication. His work in brand partnership projects (Converse, Jigsaw, Capture One) has provided platforms for young talent in photography to innovate in branded content, community initiatives and curatorial projects. As the lead of Youth Programming at Photofusion, his work on the Creator's Studio and Young Curators continues to reshape how young photographers develop careers in the creative industries. Poster design @tomboothwoodger #lnreconstructednature

"Is the studio free?" "It's more like a small room with two lights"  "Calm, we can make that work".   A room with daylight and an Afrobeat's playlist can mean much to a young creative who is looking for escape and space. Those hard to find resources are why we created "The Creator's Studio" when Photofusion moved to International House. Over four years, it became a Saturday hang out and mentoring destination where new talent in Photography could connect with like minded creators, create, curate, and dream chase.  As we begin the process of moving to a new home in Beehive Place (Brixton) we say farewell to the room that made space for community and career building.  All love to Tolu and their amazing team of sitters, MUA's, set designers and stylists, who used the last week before packing up to manifest a new vision for Dante Gabriel Rossenti's "Beloved".   The shoot's antics and laughs were a sweet reminder of what answers the frequently asked question about why I give time on Saturday's. To the many who have passed through to kick it, shoot, seek advice, give opportunity, listen, learn, and teach, I am reminded of the last scene in 'Meet Joe Black', where two unlikely friends look back on the good of their experiences together and say to each other "Can I Express My Gratitude". Let's see where the adventure goes. Beloved Babes' Photographer & Producer @toluelusade Creative Director @maikelie.kita Set  Design @shaniam00 Stylist @thingsarentthings Stylist @tisha_mnsh MUA @kimilookz Hair @faiththedesigner Feat. @edwine_gum @iamkudazi @jordanalways_ @qovopart @rabbawisdom @s.kamsii

Had to sit on this one... Back at the start of term, we had the opportunity to let recent graduates  @cieranjayphoto  and @brianbett collaborate with @peugeotuk  for an E305 'Allure Campaign' which released on social media and  @britishgq this week. It's always a joy to be able to take a break from the desk to spend time watching photographer's you've grown with take on industry partnerships. Even better to be able learn lessons while having a laugh and build future projects into the new course at @lcclondonphoto which finally celebrates getting its name changed to BA Photography and Creative Industries for 25/26 :- |   A big s/o the creatives, partners and the images here that remind me of fond memories working with an exceptional year of BAP talents. Set Design @basialnguyen MUA @calliefx Model @janiandreaq Lighting @brianbtte BTS  Video @incaseofbrit Special Thanks @twinscott

So much to be proud of this month. But a clear highlight has been working alongside mentee Destinie Paige, the team at Photofusion, the featured artists and production squad of the exhibition experience BLK BXY JOY. Throughout Feb, it's been humbling to hear conversations in the gallery about being seen, finding family and finding inspiration in the works of a new generation of creators.  To see new swag walk through the doors of Photofusion and to watch how newly visiting eyes unpick the work on the walls.  To see those eyes takeaway the feeling of being represented or an urge to find like minded representation in curriculum, archives, life and work of their own. I wish too that I could have been present the moments I didn't see.  @toluelusade creating a shoobs in the gallery that served up jollof rice or LCC BA Photography Alumni and another rising star @mayajcampbell interviewing Destinie for Azeema mag. Moments I missed but share through social media's power to connect us to memories that time and distance often steal from us. I suppose it's these wishes to be present that will continue to drive the work we do in supporting the vision of young artists. Artists who in cases like these, marched, grinded and gracefully pushed for the opportunity to celebrate their own unique picture of the black experience. s/o to all the folk that made such an experience possible. Curator @onlydestt Producer @_d.wiafe Photofusion Team @kimshawphotographer , @jasbell11 , @ozzyphotography_ Mentors and advice @aliyahhasinah and Lois Olmstead Printing and Installation @the_humble_print_monkey Production Design @sarahfletcherdesign Painting Joseph Girigari Artist Photography @shenellkennedy Production Assistants @rkoumaira , @chai.knee , @shaniam00 Livestream Team @maliabarnes_ @alexmesser , @saintfromeast , @janiceandreaq , @lisafvasconcelos Framing @wearefacility Bursary @home_by_ronanmckenzie Special Thanks @s2au , @coraogbornjames , @lukethomasedwards , @lcclondonphoto Catch it in it's final week. Closes March 3rd.