WE ARE HONOURED TO HAVE DR VANLEY BURKE JOIN US FOR AN ONLINE GUEST SEMINAR DURING UCW OPEN WEEK
Thursday 18th June 2020 - 2pm
ABOUT VANLEY
Vanley Burke is often described as the ‘Godfather of Black British Photography’, whereby his iconic images have captured the evolving cultural landscape, social change, and stimulated debate in the United Kingdom over the past four decades. He draws strength from remaining a humble man of the community, whose personable character allows him to capture the intimate and private nature of people’s everyday lives.
His body of work represents possibly the largest photographic record of the Caribbean Diaspora in Britain, and as an avid collector, Vanley continues to connect histories through his substantial archive housed at the Library of Birmingham. From local community organisations to the Victoria & Albert Museum and Whitechapel, Vanley has exhibited widely in the United Kingdom, and as far afield as New York, South Africa and China.
Vanley’s artistic enquiry is not simply limited to black and white documentary photography, as his eccentric rebellious nature lends itself to sculpture and painting, and crafting art that gives life a shape. His simple motivation has been the preservation of culture and history through creation, documentation, and discovery which often leaks into the private.
His work was also part of John Akomfrah's seminal film - Handsworth Songs (John used Vanley's Bolex camera to make it).
His powerful installation work, such as 'Sugar Coated Tears' tackles West Midlands connection with slave trade.
Please take a look at Vanley’s work and think of some questions.
This talk will be on Zoom, details to follow.