Based in London, Heather Agyepong is a British photographer, visual artist and performer. Since 2009, she has published, performed and exhibited around the UK and internationally.
Revolving around the themes of mental health, invisibility, the diaspora, and the archive, her art is intended to create a ‘cathartic experience’ for herself and the viewer. Adopting the technique of ‘re-imagination’, much of Heather’s work looks to the past, opening up overlooked narratives and critically examining prevailing versions of history.
Heather’s 2016 series Too Many Blackamoors was inspired by a 19th century Carte-de-visite of Lady Sarah Forbes Bonetta, the West African adopted goddaughter of Queen Victoria, who came to live in England at a young age. In the work, Heather incorporates techniques including Rosy Martin and Jo Spence’s ‘Re-enactment Phototherapy’, alongside her own experience as a “young Black woman, dealing with the macro and micro traumas of racism encountered while travelling around European countries.”
Heather was a nominee for the South Bank Sky Arts Breakthrough Award 2018 and awarded the Firecracker Photographic Grant 2020. More recently, she was selected as part of Foam Talent 2021, Jerwood/Photoworks Award 2022 and The Photographers Gallery New Talent Award 2021.
Heather has also been nominated for the Prix Pictet and the Foam Paul Huf Award several times. Her work exists in a number of collections including Autograph ABP, Centre national des arts plastiques, Hyman Collection, New Orleans Museum of Art, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and Mead Art Museum.
Open to the public from 12th - 15th May, this year’s Photo London will bring together some of the most groundbreaking work in contemporary photography, as well as paying tribute to the pioneers of the past....
Unmissable exhibitions that are closing this month all feature at least one Heroine as we continue to celebrate women in photography....
Heather Agyepong discusses igniting new conversations around Bristol’s art collections for Bristol Photo Festival 2021, on display until October 10....
Check out which Heroines are participating in this years Bristol Photo Festival, from group shows to symposiums...
From the 10th-16th May, Mental Health Awareness Week will be taking place. Explore 5 Heroines who aim to open the dialogue around mental health....
Hundred Heroines (virtually) sits down with mix-media artist Heather Agyepong to discuss her photographs, agency and mental health...
FORMAT festival is back for another year featuring virtual galleries and talks from Heroines....
A Picture of Health explores the roles of the hidden self, trauma, environment and care, within the wider narratives of health and wellbeing, with work by Anna Fox and Heather Agyepong....
Photographer Heather Agyepong reimagines historical and cultural figures to explore themes of mental health, invisibility, the diaspora and the archive....
