The Russian-Ghanaian photographer Liz Johnson Artur has been taking pictures for more than 30 years; capturing, following and communicating with society.
Her calm observations and distinct visual language engage closely with the object, forming a subtle exchange and dialogue. Within an era of police brutality against the black majority, and across an America divided further by the unprecedented rise of Donald Trump, Johnson Arthur is breathing fresh air in a midst of fog.
Originally born in Russia, the Ghanaian photographer moved to the UK in the 90’s. Her photographs make for a cool comparison to the harrowing news centred around the brutality between races. From the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement to Donald Trump, Johnson Arturs photographs paint a picture of what it means to be a person of colour within the modern age.
Since moving to England, Johnson Arturs has had a studio in Peckham, and the area lives in the DNA to her photographs. As it documents normal life on a day to day basis from celebrations to violence, her photography crosses borders of life and art, which in most cases, become the same thing. Within her photographs, you can see a juxtaposition of emotions portrayed in each one which creates something dynamic within her art.
Generally taken in a monochromatic style and drawing inspirations from the greats such as Henri Cartier Bresson, this is street photography that documents life on a normal, daily basis. More than that: its place within the mass charade of brutal police killings evokes an awareness of the tragedy that racism creates and the animosity it breeds. Johnson Arturs photographs a different type of life from the one we are used to seeing in the media, instead representing normal lives that change the perceptions of those looking at the photographs.
Liz Johnson Arturs pictures evoke the real journey of a black life in modern day London. Here photographs make for an incredibly refreshing change to the daily struggle that is seen on other news and media outlets.
Photo Credit: Liz Johnson Artur
