Member-only story

Unfixed Photography and the Decolonial Imagination in West Africa

Vincent Mitchell

·2.6k Followers· Follow

Published in Unfixed: Photography And Decolonial Imagination In West Africa

4 min read · 1 month before

315 View Claps

58 Respond

Save

Listen

Photography has been a powerful tool in the history and culture of West Africa. From the earliest days of colonialism, photographers have documented the lives and landscapes of the region, often in ways that served to reinforce Western stereotypes and power structures. However, in recent decades, a new generation of photographers has emerged who are using photography to challenge the colonial gaze and to construct new narratives of African history and identity.

Unfixed: Photography and Decolonial Imagination in West Africa

by Jennifer Bajorek

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	176711 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	343 pages

Unfixed Photography and the Decolonial Imagination in West Africa is a groundbreaking work that explores this new movement in African photography. Through a series of case studies, the book demonstrates how photography is being used to critique the colonial past, to promote social justice, and to celebrate the diversity and beauty of African culture.

Case Studies

The book includes a wide range of case studies, from the work of early photographers such as Augustus Washington to the work of contemporary photographers such as Zanele Muholi and Seydou Keïta. Each case study provides a unique perspective on the role of photography in West African history and culture.

One of the most striking things about the work of these photographers is their use of unconventional techniques and materials. For example, many of them use found objects and recycled materials to create their work, which challenges the traditional notion of photography as a pristine and objective medium.

Another important aspect of the work of these photographers is their focus on the everyday lives of ordinary people. By documenting the lives of their communities, these photographers are creating a new archive of African history that is more inclusive and representative than the traditional archives created by Western photographers.

Impact

Unfixed Photography and the Decolonial Imagination in West Africa is a timely and important work that provides a new perspective on the role of photography in African history and culture. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in photography, African studies, or the decolonial movement.

Author

Unfixed Photography and the Decolonial Imagination in West Africa is written by Dr. Sarah Van Beurden, an assistant professor of African art history at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Van Beurden is a leading expert on the history of photography in West Africa, and her work has been published in numerous journals and anthologies.

Free Downloading

Unfixed Photography and the Decolonial Imagination in West Africa can be Free Downloaded from the University of California Press website. The book is available in hardcover and paperback editions.

Unfixed: Photography and Decolonial Imagination in West Africa

by Jennifer Bajorek

4.7 out of 5