John Akomfrah

John Akomfrah is a British-Ghanaian artist and filmmaker born in 1957, celebrated for his innovative approach to exploring themes such as memory, post-colonialism, migration, and the environment. Akomfrah’s work often delves into the complexities of the African diaspora, historical narratives, and the effects of colonialism on contemporary identity. His films and video installations are known for their thoughtful blending of archival footage, poetic imagery, and rich soundscapes, creating immersive experiences that invite reflection on historical and contemporary social issues.Akomfrah first gained prominence as a founding member of the Black Audio Film Collective (BAFC) in 1982, a group dedicated to exploring the experiences of Black British identity and post-colonial discourse through experimental film and media. One of his most renowned early works, Handsworth Songs (1986), documented the civil unrest in the Handsworth district of Birmingham, exploring the social and political conditions that led to the riots. The film received critical acclaim for its complex, layered narrative style, combining news footage with personal testimonies to reflect on the experiences of Britain’s Black communities.In his later solo career, Akomfrah continued to explore these themes through multi-channel video installations. His 2015 piece Vertigo Sea, which debuted at the Venice Biennale, is a powerful meditation on the sea as both a site of migration and a place of violence, linking the history of the transatlantic slave trade with contemporary issues of migration and ecological destruction. The work’s striking visuals and atmospheric soundscape create a haunting reflection on the human cost of historical and present-day exploitation of both people and nature.Akomfrah’s work also addresses the impact of climate change and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. In Purple (2017), a six-channel video installation, he examines the environmental crisis through a combination of archival and newly filmed footage, highlighting how industrialization and colonialism have shaped both the environment and human lives. Through his evocative use of imagery and sound, Akomfrah asks viewers to contemplate the interconnectedness of ecological, historical, and cultural narratives.John Akomfrah’s work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Venice Biennale, the Tate Modern, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His innovative use of archival material and his focus on marginalized histories and environmental concerns have established him as a leading figure in contemporary art and filmmaking. Akomfrah’s ability to create visually stunning, intellectually engaging work that grapples with some of the most pressing issues of our time makes him a pivotal figure in the exploration of history, identity, and the future.