Highlighting new photographic voices, @isabellaseniuta’s essay “Shaping new stories” navigates James Barnor’s legacy with the following questions: “how did James Barnor’s work inspire subsequent generations? How can the influence of his immense photographic oeuvre be assessed in the context of contemporary visual history? Because Barnor spanned continents, embracing a variety of genres and practices, the importance of his work far exceeds the framework of his career, marked by his journeys between Ghana and the United Kingdom. Today, Barnor has become a visual reference associated with photographers from the African diaspora and a new supporting voice for young talents who are challenging the norms in the representation of Black identities.” Seniuta traces the various and evolving readings of Barnor’s work through interviews with a range of contemporary visual artists, from New York to Accra, via London, counting @lizjohnsonartur, @tylermitchell, @stephentayo, @slyrosi , @lebohang_kganye, and @delali.cofie, among a diverse range of voices – she also points out that “visual references to his imagery differ, but the same terms are used repeatedly to describe the photographer himself: joie de vivre, an energetic personality, a sharp sense of humour, a great storyteller.” Images from left to right: James Barnor, Everything In My Hand I Bring, Ever Young Studio, Accra, c. 1953 Tyler Mitchell, Untitled (Jaycina and Syx), 2021 Liz Johnson Artur, Black Balloon Archive Delali Cofie, Sunday Best, 2019 James Barnor, Naa Jacobson as Ballroom Queen after a fashion show, Ever Young Studio, c. 1955 Silvia Rosi, Self Portrait As My Mother, 2019 Stephen Tayo, The Model Eze Meju Portrayed in the Neighbourhood Ebute Metta for The Last Magazine, Lagos, 2019 Lebohang Kganye, Ka 2-phisi yaka e pinky II, 2013 The full essay is published in the James Barnor: Stories exhibition catalogue – more info through the link in bio. #jamesbarnor #jamesbarnorarchives #isabellaseniuta #blackvanguard #blackarchives #luma #lumaarles #clementinedelaferonniere #maisoncf #rrbphotobooks