Batman / Blackman

BATMAN BLACKMAN BUKI KOSHONI

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The subject of personal identity has always been an ongoing conversation in my personal life and through my art, I’m able to capture and explore this dialogue.

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I like to shoot narrative imagery, placing people in costumes and environments, that compliment, validate, or disassemble their public / personal persona.

-Buki Koshoni

Buki Koshoni is a Lagos born, London based Visual Artist exploring culture & identity, through photography, video & mixed media.

An award winning photographer, Koshoni’s work has appeared in some of the world’s most highly respected publications, including, Vanity Fair, The Sunday Times Magazine, The Independent and The British Journal of Photography. He’s shot advertising campaigns for, Panache Lingerie, JD Sports and OKUN Beachwear. As a filmmaker, he’s praoduced films for Adidas, Sony Music, BMG Music, Universal Records, and FHM. The love for fashion, film and the human form is evident in his artwork, which interrogates identity, culture and the body aesthetic. Koshoni employs a stylistic approach to his subjects, resulting in a unique exploration of subject & identity.

In addition to commissions for some of the world’s leading publications he’s exhibited both nationally and internationally, most notably, as a Taylor Wessing Portrait finalist with the National Portrait Gallery, marking his status as a world-class portrait photographer & as a Fashion Gold Medal winner with GOSEE Berlin.

BATMAN BLACKMAN Duality of existence To identify as a black male, within a diasporan construct, is to live a life of duality.

It’s impossible, as a person of colour, to completely avoid the daily shelling of preconceived perceptions, many of us still carry the shrapnel of these encounters lodged within us.

A constant balancing act of cultures and assumptions, wrestling against your true and innate nature.

When I was younger, there were times I wore a mask to conceal certain aspects of self, at times this mask would slip, causing chaos amongst friends and colleagues.

There is a certain relief you feel, walking into a room in which the majority of people look like you, a long exhale after an extended period of holding your breath.

As I grew older and more emboldened, Oscar Wilde's advice to “be oneself,” became a rally cry, knees scuffed, hands clasped, a daily act of worship at the altar of authenticity.

Many times I’ve found myself experiencing periods of unfettered elation, as my nature and actions coalesced, a spiritual simpatico. These moments are always fleeting, butterflies and nets.

I’m on a constant journey of self, a daily battle of confidence to “be myself” while simultaneously trying to “find myself.” I have met him many times, myself that is, and I like him. He’s self deprecating with a sharp sense of humour, an insecure boy in a man's body. These encounters are fleeting, we never seem to have enough time to really get to know each other.

I arrive at his last known location, seconds too late. “He was just here” they say, “you just missed him.”

Reality and perception, authenticity and bad faith, it’s where these rivers meet, that fascinates me the most.

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

Giclee Print / Print Size - A0 (33.1” x 46.8”) / Limited Edition Print / Edition of 10

AWARDS & EXHIBITIONS 2016 “Group Exhibition” – British Journal of Photography, Portrait of Britain, National (GR) 2015 “Gold Medal” – 1st Place, Gosee Awards 15, Fashion Category, Berlin (GR)

2015 “Solo Exhibition” – Canvas Bar, London (UK) 2014 “Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2014,” Final Exhibition – Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh (UK) 2014 “Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2014,” Final Exhibition – Cheltenham Art Gallery, Cheltenham (UK) 2014 “Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2014,” Final Exhibition – The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, Canterbury (UK) 2014 “Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2014,” Final Exhibition – Millennium Gallery, Sheffield (UK) 2014 “Exposure” Imitate Modern, London (UK) 2014 “Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2014,” Final Exhibition – National Portrait Gallery, London (UK) 2014 “Life Framer – Love” Shortlisted Photographer, Online 2014 “Group Exhibition” Clifton Fine Art, Bristol (UK)

PRESS Elite Living Africa - Review Shift London - Review Elephant Magazine - Editorial FGUK Magazine - Editorial Go See – Gold Medal – Review The Evening Standard – Review The Sunday Times – Editorial Arteviste – Review The Wall Street Journal – Review NIF Magazine – Editorial The Review Magazine – Editorial Out There Style – Editorial Byrdie Magazine – Editorial NIF Magazine – Editorial The Independent Magazine – Editorial NIF Magazine – Editorial The Independent Magazine – Editorial

CONTACT BUKI KOSHONI Email: buki@bukikoshoni.com Mobile: +44 (0) 7985 206 235 www.bukikoshoni.com

Instagram: @BUKIKOSHONI

BUKI KOSHONI | STUDIO