First Contemporary African Photography Gallery Launches – London

By Joy Sigaud

In spite of the  restrictions caused by the pandemic Covid-19, the London art scene continues to thrive with many exhibitions now presented online. This Black History Month sees a number of Black artists making their mark in the sector which can be visited for the live experience.

 

 Doyle Wham, a contemporary African photography gallery, has launched its inaugural exhibition, PORTR-8: 8 New Faces in Contemporary Portraiture, which is now opened to the public at ECAD LONDON in Peckham.

PORTR-8 showcases an array of innovative and experimental portrait photography produced by eight African artists, from Gabon, Nigeria, Namibia, Kenya and Mozambique. The represented artists vary widely in terms of their backgrounds, frames of reference, and photographic style, but are united by the desire to expand and challenge traditional notions and narrow interpretations of Africa, African art, and African society.

It  is the first London-based gallery to focus on African and African diaspora photographers, a medium that is particularly underrepresented within the art world. The gallery opens the door and provides a platform for African artists to access the international art market.

Imme Dattenberg-Doyle, Doyle Wham Director, said: “While the visibility of African art in London has been steadily growing, I believe that photography has been overlooked. I am therefore delighted to be introducing a platform dedicated exclusively to this ubiquitous and accessible medium, through which we are able to connect innovative African artists with audiences and collectors around the world. I hope that visitors to PORTR-8 and all of our future exhibitions not only enjoy the beauty of the images, but are encouraged to support and participate in the thriving contemporary African art scene”.

The gallery is a socially conscious platform with 60% of every sale going directly to the artist and 10% of gallery proceeds donated to charity partners. The charity partners include The Right for Education Foundation, Africa’s leading online platform for quality content that informs, inspires and empowers in subjects from human rights and business to health and culture and Mobile Art School Kenya, a charity providing local and national training programmes focussing on strengthening creativity in the school curriculum.

The exhibition coincides with the London edition of 1-54, the leading international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, as well as Photo London Digital and Steve Mcqueen’s Year 3.

EXHIBITION DETAILS

Doyle Wham presents: PORTR-8

ECAD LONDON

117 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4QY

8th – 24th October

10am – 6pm

 

See our What’s On page for  details of other exhibitions

Main photo: Morgan Otagburuagu’s Black Diamond