Black Punk by Christian Emanuel

Black Punk by Christian Emanuel, 2021, Photography print, 26 x 22 inches

The BLAX Collection is a themed portrait series that is inspired by my filmmaking background and the exploration of modern blackness. The collection provokes thoughts and responses around ideas of gender, sexuality and identity through conceptual portraiture and attempts to display the diversity of what blackness is, reflecting our three-dimensionality. The collection included five conceptual pieces, some of which were Femme Fatale 21’, Bonnie & Clyde 21’ and Black Punk 21’. Images were made with the combination of film cameras and strobes to produce something that felt clean and cinematic. Images from the collection were selected to display in galleries across the UK which included Sotheby’s London, Museum of Creativity, Project Ability, 44AD Artspace and The New Art Gallery Walsall.

Christian Emanuel is a Black British Caribbean photographer with his work primarily rooted in conceptual portraiture. With roots in filmmaking, he originally picked up a stills camera in 2018 to sharpen his visual eye and further learn about lighting and composition to improve his directing skills but then later fell in love with the craft. Christian utilises film cameras and finds enjoyment within the analogue process, taking advantage of its need for concentration to work with intention.