Ep 21 • Aisha Seriki
ABout Aisha
Aisha Seriki is a Nigerian, London based creative specialising in portrait/fashion photography. At the age of 8, her family immigrated from South East Asia to the UK and she has been residing in South London ever since. Aisha’s interest in photography stems from her father's obsession with documentation; specifically that of all her significant childhood events.
Her love for photography solidified during her Photography A-Level. She is currently studying for an Undergraduate Degree in Global Liberal Arts at SOAS and hopes to pursue photography full time thereafter.
Aisha’s main influences are the creative minds such as Adrienne Raquel, Solmaz Saberi, and Nadine Ijewere and much of her work is centered around and created as a commentary on prevalent, global social issues.
SHow Notes
Website: occupiedbythelense.co.uk
Where are you based?: London
Camera Brand: Canon
Favorite Lens: My favorite Lens is definitely the 24- 70 MM. It is such a versatile lens and I have used to shoot just about everything. I feel as though it never fails me and I haven't gone back to my 50MM lens since getting it. I feel like it has helped to push me out of my comfort zone. Before getting my Lens I only really shot really detailed portraits ( beauty shots). Having the 24-70 has given me more time to focus on other areas of the body which I hadn't previously considered.
Who do you consider the most influential black photographer? This question is obviously super subjective. I think the most influential black photographer is Malick Sidibe. I am at awe at the way in which he depicted Malian culture and society. What makes Sibibes work so special to me is that he was able to use the tools of photography to memorialise and depict what life in Bamako was like in the 60s and 70s and through his lens, the viewer is able to gain an insider’s perspective of Malian Society, which words cannot fill or replace what Sidibes work does.
I think his work is super influential primarily because of its significance in detracting from the colonial image which was projected on Africa. Unlike the previous colonial photographs, taken by western anthropologists and photographers who had racist beliefs at the centre of their practice, Sidibe was able to document the humanity of his subject and and showcase their individualism throughout his work.
Which field of photography is the most diverse? Least diverse?
I think that the field of photography this is most diverse is probably portrait and street photography. Just because of the developments in technology throughout the last few decades which has widened the accessibility to photography. Anyone can take photograph just by a click of a button on their phone.
What do you consider the biggest hurdle for Black photographers today?
For me personally I feel like the biggest barriers for creatives is connections and visibility. I am a working-class black woman migrant. I don’t have parents who can go and find me these connections so I have to go and find these connections myself. Sometimes it feels as though there is a big black door which you cannot break past. The industry feels like a maze and the fight to be seen can be incredibly exhausting at time, especially you don’t have connections.
Nepotism rules the creative industry. Like you could do better than the person who got the job that you apply for but they got the job because of someone they know.
There are so many black creatives doing sick things and creating amazing work. However, I think the main barriers in them gaining wide scale recognition is visibility.
Imposter syndrome is a massive issue as well.
Working for free is another big issue because I and many other black creatives cannot afford to work for free because we just don’t have the security to do so because of financial standing.
Racism and class both feed into these issues because that’s how our modern society is structured.
Instagram: @occupiedbythelense
