 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Vanley
Burke's photographs represent a sensitive portrayal of black people and their
presence in the Midlands. From the inception of early black political pressure
groups, to direct state confrontation, Vanley Burke has made a photographic
record of his community's history.
His photographs focus, not only on the collective aspect of the black community, but also on the more personal and quiet moments of people's daily existence: from baptisms to the child alone in an urban nightmare, weddings and funerals are an all important part of his world view. He dispels myths about black daily life and his photographs provide a rare and affectionate portrayal of his local community.
Vanley Burke's capacity to capture the ordinary offers us access to a very particular history. His refreshingly understated photographs provide an emphatic view of black people in Britain.
Vanley Burke has been living and working in Birmingham since1965. He started photographing the community around him in 1967 and has continued to the present day. He has exhibited his work extensively, with individual exhibtions at the Ikon Gallery, the Cornerhouse in Manchester, the Black Arts Gallery in London, The Birmingham Museum and Arts Gallery and the Walsall Museum and Arts Gallery, and in group exhibits throughout the UK. His photos have been used as the opening sequence to the BBC programme Ebony and for record sleeves and book jackets. His work has also been used for videos for the band UB40.
Published in association with Autograph (The Association of
Black Photographers) and the Arts Council of Great Britain.