The Mind in Focus
The Mind in Focus is a short film exploring photography's transformative role in mental health through the journeys of photographer and visual artist Heather Agyepong and creative, Vanessa Anglade.
Directed by Daisy Ifama and produced by WaterBear Studios in partnership with Nikon, this film offers a timely look at photography’s potential as a therapeutic tool to improve our mental well-being.
WONDERLAND: LIGHTS ON: HEATHER AGYEPONG
Making waves in the West End with Shifters, the multi-disciplinary artist sits down with Wonderland to talk about her long-lasting passion for photography, stepping into the shoes of a character that challenges conventional female-led romantic stories, and what’s next.
1883: Interview
Heather most recently starred in the play Shifters at the Bush Theatre, where it received rave reviews and sold out almost immediately it was on sale. This poignant play, written by award-winning writer Benedict Lombe and directed by BAFTA-nominated Lynette Linton, explores the complex relationship between two long-lost friends as they navigate the shifting borders of memory and reality. The play was so successful that it has now transferred to the West End and will be opening at The Duke of York Theatre on the 12th August for a limited 9 week run.
I sat down with Heather to talk about Shifters, her artwork, minority representation in the arts, and how to thrive in this crazy world.
The Sunday Times Style: Everyone's talking about Heather Agyepong
Fashion! Beauty! People! Things! Welcome to your weekly guide to the stuff everyone will be talking about. Do keep up!
London Theatre: Tosin Cole and Heather Agyepong on transferring 'Shifters' to the West End
Tosin Cole and Heather Agyepong play former childhood sweethearts orbiting one another in adulthood in Benedict Lombe’s play, which transfers to the West End.
Glossary Magazine: Top London Spots
Heather Agyepong reveals her favourite cultural hot spots in LondonThe multi-disciplinary artist and star of current hit West End show Shifters shares her go-to London haunts, from the best venues for discovering new artists to must-visit theatres.
BLK BRIT: Interview
British-Ghanaian actress and artist Heather Agyepong speaks with BLK Brit in a lively, inspirational conversation around her latest works, exploration of deep themes and navigating the arts with purpose.
Shifters West End Transfer
Duke of York's Theatre, Mon 12 Aug - Sat 12 Oct 2024
Written by Benedict Lombe (Lava, winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for Playwriting), directed by Evening Standard Theatre Award-winner Lynette Linton (Blues for an Alabama Sky, August in England) and starring the “irresistible” (London Theatre) Heather Agyepong (School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play Lyric Hammersmith) and the “tremendous” (The Observer) Tosin Cole (Supacell, BBC’s Doctor Who).
Shifters is a beautifully intoxicating and relatable reminder of the enduring power of memory and young love. A universal story, full of heart, this love story is “easy itself to fall in love with” (The Times).
Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition 2024
The Aesthetica Art Prize is an annual platform for the world’s best artists. The award’s alumni continue to demonstrate excellence across the globe, from residencies and renowned awards to publications and must-see exhibitions.
The I Newspaper Interview
The actor and photographer talks about making herself vulnerable in her art, going viral over a racial incident in New York’s MoMA, and her new stage romcom about the messiness of love.
A fierce new romance for anyone desperate for a different kind of love story, starring Tosin Cole & Heather Agyepong.
Air Mail: The London List Feature
AIR MAIL’s list of 25 irrepressible young talents lighting up the London scene!
Wish You Were Here Acquisition
The Walter Collection have acquired the entire limited edition postcard series of Wish You Were Here.
Inclusion in The Thing, Photoworks Annual #30
Inspired by Aimé Césaire’s formulation “colonisation = chosification”, Photoworks Annual #30 is themed The Thing. Gathering work from 30 artists, five writers, and two curators, this publication considers how the camera objectifies, and how image-makers have broached this.
ego death essay written by Pelumi Odubanjo
LONDON’S NEW ART POWER LIST
Meet the 31 movers, shakers and picture-makers reinvigorating the city’s art scene.
Selected as Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2023 Exhibiting Artist
Interview with British Black List : School Girls; Or The African Mean Girls
School Girls; or The African Mean Girls Play, set in 1986 at Ghana’s prestigious Aburi Girls boarding school follows Queen Bee Paulina and her crew excitedly awaiting the arrival of a Miss Ghana pageant recruiter. With Paulina obviously set to the title things are thrown into disarray when her place is threatened by Ericka – a beautiful and talented new transfer student.
We spoke to one of the cast Heather Agyepong about her role in the play …
Elephant Magazine
Ego Death: Heather Agyepong Reckons With Selfhood
Interview with JN Benjamin about artistic career so far.
LONDON THEATRE INTERVIEW FOR SCHOOL GIRLS; OR THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRL PLAY
Heather Agyepong on finding her dream role in 'School Girls'
The actress in Jocelyn Bioh's School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play shares how the show celebrates dark-skinned Black women while having universal themes.
OpenWalls Arles Vol.4 WinnersBritish Journal of Photography and Galerie Huit Arles are thrilled to announce the winners of OpenWalls Arles Vol.4
From British Journal of Photography in collaboration with Galerie Huit Arles, OpenWalls Arles is an international photography award designed to elevate the careers of emerging and established photographers by exhibiting their work in the prestigious and historic location of Arles.
The exhibition will take place at Galerie Huit Arles from 5 July to 23 September 2023.
I See the Face of Things to Come at Photo Ireland 2023
PhotoIreland announces the programme, guest curators, and exhibiting artists for the 14th edition of Ireland’s International Festival of Photography and Image Culture, taking place between 30 June–27 August 2023 under the title R/evolutions.
Arts Council England Acquisition of ego death
Arts Council England acquire a number of works from the 'ego death' series to join their collection.
Sincere thanks to Deborah Smith, Vanessa Peterson and the entire acquisition team for investing in my work.
PRIX PICTET PODCAST: collage- women in photography
What is the impact of images on mental health? Prix Pictet British-Ghanaian photographer Heather Agyepong joins us in this episode to discuss culture representation in the media and its impact on mental health. Featured in our latest publication Collage, Heather's performance and photography is layered with symbolism to illicit a conversation about the boundaries of how we see ourselves both in real and imagined realities.
Vingt Sept - In Conversation with Heather Agyepong
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play
Written by Jocelyn Bioh. Directed by Monique Touko.
1986. Ghana’s prestigious Aburi Girls Boarding School.
Queen Bee Paulina and her crew excitedly await the arrival of the Miss Ghana pageant recruiter. It’s clear that Paulina is in top position to take the title until her place is threatened by Ericka – a beautiful and talented new transfer student. As the friendship group’s status quo is upended, who will be chosen for Miss Ghana and at what cost?
Bursting with hilarity and joy, this award-winning comedy explores the universal similarities (and glaring differences) facing teenage girls around the world.
Don’t miss the UK premiere of this critically-acclaimed smash-hit show. Book early for the best seats at best prices.
This production is produced in association with Mark Gordon Pictures and Francesca Moody Productions.
Digital Spy Interview
The Power star Heather Agyepong teases special new superpower series.
Tatler Interview
Introducing Heather Agyepong: the star of Amazon Prime’s The Power is the electrifying new face you need to knowMultidisciplinary artist Heather Agyepong on her role in Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of The Power, about teenage girls who develop superpowers
The Power on Amazon Prime
Based on the New York Times bestseller, The Power is our world, but for one twist of nature. Suddenly, women develop a mysterious new ability to electrocute at will, leading to an extraordinary global reversal of the power balance.
First 3 eps out on 31st March. New episode every Friday.
feature shoot article
In 1902, a Black Performer Took the World by Storm. Her Story Resonates Today.
V&A East's plans to shake up the art world with community-inspired museum and storehouse
V&A East director Gus Casely-Hayford tells Sky News his new museum and storehouse will celebrate diversity through its artists, curators and staff, while also making sure the East End venues serve the entire community rather than just a privileged few.
Featuring myself and Lisa Anderson, Director of Black Cultural Archive
Theatre: Susannah Clapp’s 10 best shows of 2022
Celebrated Virgins included in top 10 shows of 2022
British Journal of Photography: On home and heritage: ‘Beautiful Experiments’ at London Art Fair’s Photo50
London Art Fair’s annual group show for photography will present 11 multigenerational women and non-binary photographers, whose practices are informed by their Black and mixed diasporic heritage
Talk: ‘Toward the Magical: Fiction and Invention’
Late at Tate Britain, Friday 2nd December 7pm
Location: Gallery 9, or streamed online
Join us for a discussion chaired by Awa Konaté with Inua Ellams, Heather Agyepong, Rachel Jones, and Caleb Azumah Nelson.
Inspired by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye's enigmatic portraits of fictitious people. We are exploring the theme of Dreams vs. Reality for December’s Late At Tate Britain. This panel discussion will use this theme as a starting point to look at fiction and artistic invention.
The Wick: Ones to Watch - Spotlight- Visual artist and performer Heather Agyepong
“We believe that Heather is one of the most exciting young artists working in photography.”
Hundred Heroines Interview: Heather Agyepong receives Jerwood / Photoworks Award
Chosen from over 370 applicants, Contemporary Heroine Heather Agyepong was selected for the award alongside documentary photographer Joanne Coates.
The awardees have produced new work for a national touring exhibition, which launched at Jerwood Space, London, in September 2022. At the press preview, Hundred Heroines volunteer writer Fanny Beckman caught up with Heather about her project, ego death.
British Journal of Photography Interview: Jerwood/Photoworks Award 4
Joanne Coates & Heather Agyepong creates space for their authentic identities.
Announced as Nikon Ambassador
Nikon Ambassadors are some of the most talented and influential visual artists working in the business today. These gifted, spirited storytellers go above and beyond most, and are admired for their passion, energy and commitment to their craft.
Source || Three Generations
Trish Morrisey, Jon Tonks and Heather Agyepong compare their experiences in photography.
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Acquisition
A number of works from the Too Many Blackamoors series are now part of the museums permanent collection.
The Centre National
des arts plastiques acquisition
A work from the Wish You Were Here series is now part of the French Ministry of Cultures permanent collection.
UNRULY BODIES: Artist Talk with Heather Agyepong (virtual)
Feb 16, 2022 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Heather Agyepong shares the story of her powerful new solo performance, The Body Remembers, which explores how trauma lives in the body.
The Artists to Watch in 2022
From paintings to performance, from the virtual to the very real, this is Elephant’s pick of the artists heading for great things in the next 12 months.
Too Many Blackamoors featured as poster image for Photo Oxford Festival 2021 & speaker at
‘Women, Memory & Transmission. Postcolonial perspectives from the arts & literature’
Monday 18th October, 9am - 5pm
Maison Française d'Oxford
TPG New Talent (TNT) is a dedicated exhibition and mentoring programme identifying and supporting the most exciting and relevant UK-based emerging artists working within the photographic medium.
The TNT ‘21 artists are Heather Agyepong, Jessica Bernard, Ollie Gapper, Mariam Sholaja, RAKE Collective and Wing Ka Ho Jimmi.
They were chosen from an open call by the Brazilian artist, Rosângela Rennó along with TPG Senior Curator, Karen McQuaid who were looking for approaches and work that they felt demonstrated a clear declaration of intent and were visually strong and coherent across concept, form and realisation.
The Body Remembers Tour Begins
“To give love to our inner selves we must first give attention, recognition and acceptance. Having let ourselves know that we will not be punished for acknowledging who we are or what we feel we can name the problems we see” – bell Hooks, author of sisters of the yam: black women & self recovery
The body is an archive. It remembers everything – even the things that the head forgets.
Heather Agyepong’s powerful new solo performance The Body Remembers explores how trauma lives in the body, particularly for Black British women across different generations. Through a unique and compelling relationship between the audience and artist, it creates a collective cathartic experience.
Created & performed by multidisciplinary artist & actor Heather Agyepong, The Body Remembers features interviews of Black British women in trauma recovery. The performance is inspired by the therapeutic practice of Authentic Movement with Agyepong as The Mover and the audience as The Witness. Featuring dynamic projections and an immersive soundscape which help the audience to re-discover the power of self-reflection as the start of recovery and healing. Co-created by Imogen Knight (movement) and Gail Babb (dramaturgy), The Body Remembers creates a space for audience and artist to attend to themselves and each other.
The Body Remembers is produced by Fuel, with support from Arts Council England, Wellcome Trust, the Esmee Fairbairn and the Jerwood New Work Fund.
Tickets
Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach RoadTottenham GreenLondon, N15 4RX– Book here
Thursday 7 October – Saturday 9 October
Dance International Glasgow, Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow, G41 2PE
15th October- Book here
Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill
London SW11 5TN - Book here
Wednesday 20 October – Saturday 23 October
Wednesday 27 October – Saturday 30 October
Monday 1 November – Thursday 4 November
Exeter Phoenix Theatre, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS – Book here
Tuesday 9 November
Tobacco Factory Theatres, Factory Theatre and Spielman Theatre, Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1TF– Tickets coming soon
Friday 12 November – Saturday 13 November
Image: Myah Jeffers, 2021
Announcing Heather Agyepong and Joanne Coates Awardees of the fourth Jerwood/Photoworks Awards
Jerwood Arts and Photoworks are delighted to announce Heather Agyepong and Joanne Coates as awardees of the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards.
Now in their fourth edition, the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards are a major commissioning opportunity supporting early-career artists working with photography to make new work and significantly develop their practice. The awardees were selected from over 370 applications to a national call for entries and will now be supported to realise ambitious new works over the next 12 months for a national touring exhibition launching in London at Jerwood Arts galleries at Jerwood Space in autumn 2022.
WINNER OF THE 2021 PHOTO LONDON EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHER AWARD IN PARTERNSHIP WITH NIXON EUROPE.
Photo London: We are delighted to announce that the winner of the 2021 Emerging Photographer Award is Heather Agyepong, presented by James Hyman Gallery. The winner was unveiled during an event that took place at the Nikon Gallery space on Sunday, 12 September.
PHOTO LONDON 9-12 SEPT 2021
Somerset House, The Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Stand B5 (East Wing)
James Hyman Gallery is delighted to return to Somerset House for Photo London. Our presentation will focus on the London premiere of Heather Agyepong's recent series Wish You Were Here, special exhibition prints by Helen Sear, and a curated selection of vintage photographs by Cecil Beaton, Ilse Bing, Andre Kertesz, Charles Negre, Ruth Orkin, Man Ray, Aaron Siskind, Edward Steichen and Julien Vallou de Villeneuve.
Format 21|Meet The Artist
FORMAT21 presents our new Meet the Artist series of short videos, produced by the fantastic team of FORMAT volunteers. Get to know the artists on a more personal level and find out about their ambitions and top tips.
In our first video we present Heather Agyepong, who is currently exhibiting as part of FORMAT Presents at Deda in Derby. You can also see her work in Room 4 in FORMAT21 Online.
Black Mind Blooms: Exploring ideas on self reflection as a radical act with guest artist, Heather Agyepong
Thursday 13th May, 7.45pm
How can art aid in our healing? Can art truly be therapeutic without being exploitative? What are the creative ways in which we can establish agency?
Wellbeing Vox Pops for Arnolfini & University of the West of England Bristol
This project is a collaboration between Clare Johnson (VCRG) and Keiko Higashi (Arnolfini). The film brings together a series of UWE academics and artists to critically engage with the concept of ‘wellbeing’ in the context of the Health & Wellbeing exhibitions on show at Arnolfini from winter 2020-spring 2021: A Picture of Health and Jo Spence: from fairytales to phototherapy. The aim is to critically examine ‘wellbeing’ from a range of different disciplinary perspectives. The film was made in February-March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of increasing interest in the overlap between creative arts and health and wellbeing.
Flat 70: Reclaim Space Campaign
22.03.21-11.04.21.
300 Locations Across England
A campaign with a mission to celebrate black craft and the important space black artists occupy as sources of inspiration to society. flat 70 is taking over digital screens across our home neighbourhood of Elephant & Castle as well as a couple extra iconic locations in the heart of London’s cultural districts, Southbank and Shoreditch. Bringing black art to the high street, the two-week walkable exhibition features work from 15 contemporary African & Caribbean visual artists in our network, all at different stages in their career, some from around the corner and others from around the world.
Photo Fringe 2020: Interview with Pelumi Odubanjo
Pelumi Odubanjo, one of the three selected Photo Fringe 2020 Trainee Curators, interviewed Heather Agyepong about the motivations and processes for this new work.
RPS WOMEN IN PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP: INTERVIEW
Hundred Heroines Interview with Venetia Jolly
Heroine Heather Agyepong discusses mental health, coping with lockdown and her upcoming projects
FOAM TALENT 2021
Foam is proud to announce the names of the 20 young artists, whose work will feature in the upcoming Foam Magazine #58: Talent, which will be published in February 2021.
The fifteenth edition of Foam Magazine’s Talent issue presents a selection of outstanding artists, each in their own way feeling the pulse of our times. In spite of the many challenges humankind was confronted with in 2020, Foam counted the highest number of submissions yet: 1803 entries, from 72 countries - each of which represented a message in a bottle from different parts of the world, which felt more fractured than ever. This year’s common, underlying theme is a close, sharp look at one of the most important subjects, the human condition. While being born out of the Covid-19 pandemic, this issue is also a beautiful, hopeful and refreshing statement of the possibilities the photographic medium offers, and the exciting future ahead.
Arnolfini UWE Bristol: Art in the City Talk
Artist Heather Agyepong in conversation with Keiko Higashi, Engagement Producer at Arnolfini recorded on 11 November 2020.Full details at arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/art-in-the-city-heather-agyepong/
BJP Interview : “We want action”
Agyepong discusses her most recent series Wish You Were Here — what drove it, what it signifies, and what it means today with Hannah Abel-Hirsch.
Aesthetica Interview: Making the Space
London-based visual artist Heather Agyepong’s latest series, Wish You Were Here, focuses on Overton Walker’s life and legacy.
Infamous Bodies
Early Black Women’s Celebrity and the Afterlives of Rights by Samantha Pinto, 2020
On representing Mary Seacole: a Jamaican-Scottish war heroine
Posted 12 Oct 2020, by Samantha Pinto
2 Art Gallery Shows to Explore From Home
Galleries and museums are getting creative about presenting work online during the coronavirus crisis. Here are two shows worth viewing virtually.