Saturday morning, the sun shone as did the individuals attending FotoFest in Walsall. Engaging speakers and displays that provided much to stimulate conversation around image making and it's boundless opportunities.
Great to catch up with three friends I have known for decades, Claude Anderson, Shine Duggal and Simom Meddings. It was also a rare occasion as I had my portrait taken on a 1880s camera by the master craftsman A French. Many thanks to everyone who attended, not forgetting the staff and Andy Kruczek for hosting the event!
#photos #photography #speak #visualart
9th May at 11.45am I will be sharing and discussing a number of 35mm portraits featuring a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
FotoFest aims to bring together both established professionals and aspiring creatives, while also offering an accessible entry point for anyone curious about photography and visual storytelling.
Venue: The Crossing at St Paul's, Walsall, UK
Image courtesy of National Portrait Gallery, London.
One of the images I will be discussing at FotoFest Walsall 9th May at 11.45am.
Roland Gift, raised in Sparkbrook, Birmingham captured the music world with iconic songs like 'Good Thing' and 'She Drives Me Crazy.' His legendary status is assured!
Roland Gift: London, UK 1986. Pogus Caesar/OOM Gallery Archive. All Rights Reserved, DACS Images 2026
#art #images #photography #visual
FOTOFEST VISUAL EXPO
SATURDAY 9TH MAY 2026
10:30 - 5:30PM
THE CROSSING at ST PAULS
WS1 1DA
GUEST SPEAKER
DR POGUS CAESAR
Spend time in conversation with the irrepressible Dr Pogus Caesar. A passionate, committed, dedicated film photographer and multi-media conceptual artist, Pogus shares a wealth of knowledge, experience and wide ranging stories about the industry and its people stretching back for over forty years.
Be prepared to be informed and entertained. With stories from St Kitts, to The National Portrait Gallery, via Handsworth, this is a talk that you won’t want to miss
ARTWORKS:
Cover: Julie Christie
Slide 2: David Walliams
Slide 3: Sir Anthony Sher
Slide 4: Julie Christie
Slide 5: Craig Charles
Sign up to our Visual Expo through the link in bio!
We have an exclusive offer for students! When checking out tickets for our Visual Expo and Portfolio Review, use code STUDENT1 and you’ll get your tickets for free!
A grand and memorable occasion yesterday at Crowne Plaza, Birmingham. Two Blue Plaques were unveiled celebrating seventy years of ITV in the Midlands. Great to be reunited with old friends from my years at Central/Carlton Television.
L - R: Bob Warman, myself, Lord Michael Grade, Liz Hannam and Gary Newbon.
Photo: Pat Fenelon 2026
#television #blueplaque #centraltelevision #carltontelevision #itv
An excellent day reconnecting with old friends and colleagues, and reflecting on my years working for Central/Carlton Television. A packed audience witnessed the unveiling of two Blue Plaques celebrating ITV's seventy year presence in the Midlands. A big thank you to all of the individuals who insured everything ran smoothy. A very emotional time to say the least!
FOTOFEST VISUAL EXPO
SATURDAY 9TH MAY 2026
10:30 - 5:30PM
THE CROSSING at ST PAULS
WS1 1DA
GUEST SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT!
DR POGUS CEASAR
Spend time in conversation with the irrepressible Dr Pogus Caesar. A passionate, committed, dedicated film photographer and multi-media conceptual artist, Pogus shares a wealth of knowledge, experience and wide ranging stories about the industry and it’s people stretching back for over forty years. Be prepared to be informed and entertained. With stories from St Kitts, to The National Portrait Gallery, via Handsworth, this is a talk that you won’t want to miss
Sign up to our Visual Expo through the link in bio!
#photography#photographylovers #cinematicphotography #cinematicvibes #filmphotography #visuals #videography #portfolio #curation #photographyportfolio #FOTOFEST #FujiFilm #Sigma #Sigmaart #DelkinDevices #ukbftog #TheFlashCentre #CameraTalk #UrbanHaxCIC #TheNewArtGalleryWalsall #NAGW #Walsall #Birmingham #BirminghamEvents #WalsallEvents #SupportWalsall #SupportBirmingham #ArtsinWalsall #ArtsinBirmingham #makerfestwalsall
Four archival portraits from the series 'Into the Light' are now in the Arts Council Collection, Hayward Gallery, London. The series was first exhibited at 'The 80s: Photographing Britain' at Tate Britain 2024 - 2025.
From a chronicled viewpoint, the ancestors of the subjects displayed in 'Into the Light' were transported during the transatlantic slave trade from West and Central African territories. They were deemed undignified, nameless, stateless yet highly commodified. Sailing vessels including Jesus of Lubeck, Mermin, Gallito and Whyda Gally were instrumental in the haulage of human cargo.
L-R: Woman 1985, Woman 1985, Man 1989, Man 1986.
Into the Light: Pogus Caesar/OOM Gallery Archive. All Rights Reserved, DACS Images 2026
I would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to the Arts Council Collection for supporting my practice, highly appreciated.
#portrait #artscouncilcollection #tatebritain #photographs #images
Upcoming event, l will be displaying a range of portrait photographs from OOM Gallery Archive and how they relate to my creative practice.
#art #Walsall #portrait #camera #35mmfilm
The archival photograph of artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah has been acquired by V&A for their permanent collection. It was taken in 1985 during the production of the seminal documentary 'Handsworth Songs.'
This is a landmark acquisition by V&A who have selected fifty photographic prints relative to the exhibition 'The Music is Black: A British Story.'
Title: John Akomfrah (assigned by the artist)
Brief Description: Photograph by Pogus Caesar, 'John Akomfrah', silver gelatin print, 1985
Image Detail: A black and white photograph of the artist and filmmaker Sir John Akomfrah. Akomfrah is pictured pointing a large film camera out of a window, looking through the viewfinder as he adjusts the lens. He is wearing a striped shirt shirt and knitted vest.
Object History: Taken in 1985 printed in 2024.
Assession No: S.30-2025
John Akomfrah: Birmingham, UK 1985. Pogus Caesar/OOM Gallery Archive. All Rights Reserved, DACS Images 2026
#V&A #photograph #image #visual #history
The highest congratulations to curator Jacqueline Springer and her team at V&A East for weaving together the musical threads that dazzles with cultural opulence.
The Music is Black: A British Story, V&A East Museum, 107 Carpenters Road, London E20 2AR
Opens Saturday 18 April 2028
I attended The Music is Black: A British Story at V&A East Museum on 15 April. This landmark exhibition covers 125 years of Black British music and illuminates its undeniably contribution to British culture.
I am exceptionally proud to have contributed artwork to the exhibition. On a large display screen is one of four archival gelatin silver prints from the 1985 Handsworth Riots series, acquired by V&A in 2012.
Image detail: An overturned car on a residential street is on fire, Billowing smoke partially obscures the vehicle. A fire hose is on the ground, in the distance a fireman attempts to extinguish the flames.
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Assession No: E.1201-2012
Handsworth Riots: Birmingham, UK 1985. Pogus Caesar/OOM Gallery Archive. All Rights Reserved. DACS Images 2026
#V&A #exhibition #culture #blackhistory
