Five years ago British-born Nigerian photographer Paul Iwala started capturing a collection of black and white pictures which provoke discussion around the relationship between black people and fashion in the West, to form his project Black In Fashion.
Often taken backstage at fashion shows, Iwala’s images seek beneath the artifice and suggest alternative narratives regarding the politics of fashion.
Today that project is being exhibited for the first time showcasing his collection of beautifully crafted black & white analogue photographs with a political undertow.Also featured in the exhibition will be ‘Travel Nigeria’, a multi-platform piece conflating voice, music, text and imagery relating to Iwala’s first trip to Nigeria, the home of his ancestors, in 2012.
Critically acclaimed, Paul Iwala, has been practicing analogue photography for over 25 years having studied photography at Dublin Institute of Technology and Hereford College of Art & Design.He has exhibited in Ireland and the UK and has work in various collections throughout the world.
Black in Fashion is part of the #DiversityMatters series championing diversity in the Arts and Media runs from Monday 12 December – Thursday 15 December 2016 at PemPeople, 91 Peckham High Street, London, SE15 5RS | Private view: 12 December 18:30 – 20:30 | Open daily: 11am – 7pm
All images by Paul Iwala – www.pauliwala.com