James Barnor

Pioneering photographer

James Barnor was born in Accra, Ghana in 1929. He began work as a photographer in Accra?s Jamestown district in 1947 where he set up the Ever Young studio, taking photographs of the local community. He also worked as a photojournalist for the Daily Graphic and Drum magazine, which led him to London in the 1960s. Beyond his studio photography and press commissions, Barnor also has an extensive archive of street reportage. After spending the 1960s in Britain, Barnor returned to Ghana at the end of the decade where he helped open the country?s first colour-processing laboratory. In 1993, after 24 years in Ghana, Barnor returned to London where he continues to live today. His varied body of photographic work documents the shift towards modern living as experienced by black people in both Africa and Britain.

Ekta Mody Pathak

Storybeyondlines was conceptualized by myself, aimed at bringing the traditional & spiritual art to the world. To promote art which not only brings joy to people, but also has soothing and transformative effects on ones’ energy, has been a key theme of Storybeyondlines.

A self-taught artist, I have had a deep inclination for art since childhood and have been creating artwork since more than a decade.
Over the years, I realized that I wanted to bring to the world the art that would make someone feel connected to his/her spiritual energy, and therefore my passion for the mandala art grew and I took to her calling to bring forward this artwork to a wider audience. With numerous workshops to my side, and many customized art-works created for my clients, I have been deeply rooted to expressing and bringing forward my art form across borders.

Zabou

http://zabou.me/

Originally from France, Zabou moved to and started painting London in 2012. She has since then been on a self-appointed mission to paint as much of the capital as possible. With a seemingly endless supply of fresh designs to work with, Zabou is very much one of London?s most proactive artists.

Her works are striking, humourous and thought-provoking, set to elicit a range of emotions upon viewing, depending on the message each mural conveys. Working with a combination of stencil and freehand techniques, she likes to question society and to poke fun at conformists. First and foremost however is the fact that each of Zabou?s subjects are drawn from her personal experiences, taking what she sees around her and projecting it to a new audience.

Beyond this, and what is fundamental about Zabou?s work, is her innate ability to integrate the location and surroundings with her artworks: not just wishing to paint on the street, she makes them part of the street. The pieces harmonise with their surroundings and in turn create something which allows its audience to engage with the work as an installation. This is the very essence of street art and something few artists master, but certainly one of Zabou?s greatest talents.

Her witty and thoughtful designs have given her a much sought after reputation, leading her to travel the world to spread her artistic message of love, fun or rebellion. She has painted in England, France, Portugal, Cyprus, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Dubai and the U.S.A. Beyond her travels, Zabou?s accomplishments include speaking events such as the prestigious TedX conferences on the subject ?Everything you know is wrong? in Limassol, Cyprus (2014), seeing her artwork published in books including: Planet Banksy by Ket (2014) and The World?s 50 Best Women Street Artists by Graffito Books (2017), as well as having her work exhibited at the famous Saatchi Gallery in London as part of the ?XX: A Moment In Time? show curated by Olly Walker (2016).

Zabou is an artist whose techniques and boldness are constantly evolving. She is certainly not set to be stopping on her journey anytime soon, fortunately she has to much left to say to the world.

Carl Gabriel

Carl Gabriel: from mas band to museum

London-based Carnival artist Carl Gabriel has achieved international renown for his large-scale sculptures, lovingly handcrafted through the disappearing art of traditional wire bending. These have been exhibited at the British Library, the Science Museum in London, Ohio State University. Carl's greatest inspiration came through childhood experiences of Carnival in Trinidad.

Mohammad Yassin

https://mushkilah.com/

SOC!ETY DANCE ACADEMY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK1kRutoJ9I

Society Dance Academy was created by a enthusiastic Individual who is determent to create a society passionate about all aspects of Street & Hip Hop dance by providing educational dance training and opportunities for young people to express their talents.

Erduan Xhaferi and a team of creative Mentors and Choreographers aim is to provide creative platforms for young people to express their talents and give young people from all walks of life an opportunity to be inspired.

​We believe dance can be used as a tool to positively change people’s minds and opinions about each other and to become united within the dance culture. Dance itself is a universal language that everybody understands and can relate too, it removes all barriers between individuals and what they want to communicate, It illustrates the development of human culture. Society Dance Academy firmly believes that if we focus on developing the young generation, creatively and socially, it will have an impact on them and others, for a better future.

Dance creates experiences for young people that will allow them to participate in a range of dance forms and styles. As well as providing them with the experience of performing, confidence and opportunities for leadership roles.

Our vision for our students is to provide them with the highest training and give them opportunities to reach their goals by also inspiring them to carry this movement forward into the future, allowing them to become the next generation of Mentors/dancers, choreographers and teachers that continue to create society with dance. We strive to bring out their creativity and teach them to express themselves through movement, but most importantly we want all students to enjoy this experience.

​Society Dance Academy have the experience and knowledge to stand behind their beliefs, with a history of over 10 years of performing, teaching, theatre productions and TV entertainment.

Winning a high number of awards in dance competitions in the UK and Europe, they have performed at a number of top venues such as all o2 Arena's venues, Olympic Park and Saddler’s Wells. Society Dance has also collaborated with top international artists, TV and brands such as E4, Virgin, Adidas, Dunkin Donuts, T-Pain, Jay Sean, Lil Wayne and many more international artists on a number of music videos and projects.

“By analysing the past, we understand the present and can inspire and build for the Future”.

Society Dance Academy
Every Saturday 13:00-15:00PM
6-11 Yrs 13:00-14:00PM
12-17 Yrs 14:00-15:00PM

Deru Anding

https://www.deruanding.com/

I am an artist and architect based in West London.
My medium is black ink pen and marker on Fabriano paper. I create a series of drawings and am currently working on a Biophilia project focused on nature and culture themes.
I was brought up in the forest of Borneo and my work reflects my heritage of living in nature.
My drawings series began in 2010 amid the financial crisis. Then after the pandemic struck in 2019, I have been rigorously spending more time on drawing series in which I am seeking a representation for my works.

Hodah

Hodah

I’ve only just begun my journey in printmaking. For a good part of my life I didn’t allow myself to ‘create’. I would spend my time wasting time. Now I’m taking the STEPS necessary to live the best life I can live. Take it easy, but take it! I’m from New York City, but have been living in ‘ManhActon’ for almost twenty years.

Charlie King

I’m a sculptor and tattoo artist, very interested in line, form and composition. I’m inspired by mid 20th century artists and a big fan of industrial art. I like working with reliefs to explore boundaries between painting and sculpture. I post my work @charlieking2000 on Instagram!

Yousif Naser

Yousif Naser biography & work

One constant theme evident in Yousif's numerous, paintings and drawings is the suffering of Iraq and the pain of exile. His largest project Black Rain is an ongoing undertaking, which began as a painting project during the build up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It quickly acquired momentum and generated much local media coverage. Gradually it evolved into a a series of paintings comprising of multi-and-single media works, ranging from gigantic canvases to small drawings, collages and paintings, all inspired by the horrors of war.