A brand new exhibition celebrates James Barnor's groundbreaking pictures
A new exhibition as part of the first Bristol Photo Festival features over 40 images by press photographer, studio portraitist and everyday documentary filmmaker James Barnor.
James Barnor: The Ghanaian modernist shows photographs from his decades-long career, including pictures from the early 1950s when he opened his Ever Young photography studio in Accra. His camera was ready when Ghana entered an age of independence from British colonial rule. Through a combination of formal studio portraits and lively street scenes, Barnor's archive from this period offers a holistic insight into a historical era.
Ever Young Studio, Accra, c. 1954. All images © James Barnor, courtesy of the Galerie Clémentine de la Féronnière
Nigerian Superman, Old Polo Ground, Mantse Agbona Park, Accra, c. 1958
Barnor later moved to London, where he documented daily life, 1960s style and a new era of multiculturalism in the capital as the diaspora communities grew. As Ghana's first international press photographer, he worked on various magazine assignments, including photographing models and musicians for the South African title Drum.
During his time in England he worked in a factory and took evening photography classes and classes in color processing. Returning to Accra in 1969, he founded X23, the country's first color photography studio and processing laboratory.
James Barnor in the Agfa-Gevaert studio in Mortsel, Belgium, 1969
Print in progress, Studio X23, Accra, c. 1972
The photographer returned to London in the mid-1990s, where he has stayed ever since. It wasn't until 2007 that he had his first exhibition at the Black Cultural Archives in London. A few years later, a meeting with two curators and further exhibitions marked the interest in his life's work.
Barnor has had a long career, but only now, shortly before his 92nd birthday, is his photographic legacy coming into its own. In addition to the Bristol Photo Festival exhibition, the companion book The Roadmaker will be published jointly by RRB Photobooks and Maison CF. A comprehensive overview of his work appears today at the Serpentine Gallery in London. With an archive of more than 40,000 photographs, this is of course only a fraction of the picture.
Friends at the wedding of Mr and Mrs Sackey, London, c. 1966
Model playing the drums: Constance Mulondo, drum cover, at London University Weekend with the band The Millionaires, London, 1967
Members of the Tunbridge Wells Overseas Club, Kent, c. 1969
Accra, 1971
Children in identical suits, Accra, 1970s
James Barnor: Ghanaian Modernist runs at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery through October 31; bristolphotofestival.org