Leica Gallery London announces Holly-Marie Cato debut solo exhibition ‘Heavy is the Mantle’ and a month of talks for Black History Month 2022. 1st October – 1st November 2022
Leica Gallery London is proud to announce the debut solo exhibition from photographer and Leica Ambassador, Holly-Marie Cato: Heavy is the Mantle. This exhibition is presented as part of Black History Month and marks the beginning of a month of talks from leading Black photographers curated by Holly-Marie Cato and supported by Leica UK.
Holly-Marie Cato comments on the activities:
“Over the month of October, we want to celebrate Black pioneering photographers who have pushed the visual narrative. Photographers who have not been celebrated enough from the legendary Charlie Philips to Leica grant recipient Renee Maria Osubu. We want to shine a light on their work in a series of four talks hosted by leading Black photographers and aimed at championing new voices, while also inviting a younger, more diverse audience through the doors of Leica Store Mayfair and Leica Gallery London.”
About the Talks
Thursday 6th October – Renee Maria Osubu: Dear Philadelphia, hosted by Ferren Gipson Award-winning photographer and videographer Renee Maria Osubu will be presenting a film screening of her short film, Dear Philadelphia, which was internationally premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2021 and also won the Jury award for Best Short Documentary at Blackstar Film Festival. Following the screening, Ferren Gipson will be hosting a Q&A with Renee about the photo series and film to gain a deeper understanding.
Thursday 13th October – Henry J. Kamara Keep the Drums Loose the Knife, hosted by Ferren Gipson Hosted by Ferren Gipson, Henry J. Kamara will be discussing his unreleased body of work, titled Keep the Drums Loose the Knife. The project forms an important discussion around FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and contains a survivor and activist account from Sarian Karim Kamara. Henry thoughtfully documents the survivors of FGM in his country of origin, Sierra Leone and in the United Kingdom.
Tuesday 18th October – Charlie Philips & Eddie Otchere: See the light in others, and treat them as if that is all you see. Join Charlie Philips in conversation with Eddie Otcher, both photographers are renowned for documenting some of the most iconic events of the last 60 years (combined) from Mohammed Ali to Biggie Smalls, Eddie Otchere and
About the Exhibition
Heavy is the Mantle follows Herbert Cato in the days before he stepped down as presiding Bishop of City Mission Church. Spurred on by the nostalgia of attending Sunday service with her late grandmother, Holly-Marie Cato expands her lens to documenting the wider congregation, from swishing choir robes, taking communion and the theatre of exhortations. Cato explores her fascination of Christianity within the Caribbean community, especially the church leaders who carry the weight and responsibility of their roles with reverence.
Heavy is the Mantle, is Cato’s debut solo exhibition at Leica Gallery London, exploring the spiritual and symbolic mantle of responsibility church leaders carry and the task of passing that mantle and tradition on to the following generation. This work is dedicated to the late Bishop Noreen Simpson who committed her life to serving the Lord and her community.
“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48 NKJV Heavy, is the mantle.
Charlie Phillips understand the act of seeing. Their acts of seeing across the Black diaspora and creating an intergenerational story is ultimately at the heart of their conversation. They will discuss the historical context behind their imagery and why they document their own communities.
Thursday 27th October – Simon Fredrick: The Art of Seeing Simon Frederick will discuss his groundbreaking catalogue of photography and documentary film work. His ascendancy from self-taught photographer to award winning and frequently commissioned director and producer, is one that is pioneering and inspirational. We will be screening and discussing excerpts from his National Portrait Gallery collection and documentary “Black Is The New Black” (BBC) “They’ve Gotta Have Us” (Netflix) and THEOUTSIDERS? (Youtube Originals) Followed by a Q&A session.
About the Grant & Portfolio Reviews
We will be offering in-person portfolio reviews to a shortlist of 15 applicants. Applicants will be able to submit their Portfolio Review through our submission link hosted by Picter from September 5th – October 20th 2022. The 15 shortlisted photographers will be notified of their stage in the competition and will be able to able to book a scheduled slot and sit down with Holly-Marie along with four notable jurors from the industry.
Supported by Leica and WeTransfer, One winner will receive a £6,000 grant and two runners up will receive £2,000 each to continue their work in the field of photography.
About our Ambassador Holly-Marie Cato
Holly-Marie Cato is a photographer, filmmaker and Leica Ambassador. Blending a passion for travel, community and street photography, Cato seeks out authentic stories across the world and in her city of London. Cato’s work has seen her travel the globe from Nicaragua to Mumbai, forging connections with grassroots-based charities, to partnering with International brands. Her work is gracious, honest and never fails to place dignity on the subject. When she’s not
traveling the world, you can find Cato on the streets of London documenting the city.
The exhibition will show a selection of images from the series and will take place between 1st of October and the 1st of November 2022 at Leica Gallery London, 64-66 Duke Street, W1K 6JD. For more information about the talks, portfolio reviews and the grants, please follow the link to our website here.
© 2022, Professional Photo Online and associated copyright owners. . All rights reserved.
