Young Londoners shoot the issues that matter to them

Teen dreams — As a young person, it often feels like you don’t have a voice. However, a new exhibition seeks to change that, providing a platform for teenage photographers to tackle subjects from identity to homelessness.

As a teenager, it’s difficult to be taken seriously. Despite your best efforts, people are quick to write you off as naive and uninformed. “Ah, what do they know? They’re just kids.”

It’s suitably frustrating – especially when the decisions that impact your generation the most feel forever out of your hands (see: Brexit, US gun laws, pretty much everything in the world ever). Much of the time, it feels like no one is asking what young people think.

Which is why Common Ground – a new exhibition comprised of photographers aged between 16 – 19 years old – feels, in today’s world, particularly apt. Housed at London’s Autograph gallery until 20 November, 2018, it showcases young photographers responding to the current socio-political climate, as they see it.

© Erica Da Silva

The exhibition tackles a range of subjects, all of which are particularly pertinent to a younger demographic. For instance, photographer Chantae Henry explores how the housing crisis and rising cost of limit has resulted in the rise of young people hopping from sofa to sofa.

“The homelessness we see on the streets is only the tip of the iceberg. Couch surfing hides homelessness,” she explains. “Taking a more conceptual, less obvious approach, my work aims to dispel the myth that there is anything fun or simple about living a life of couch surfing. It’s not a sleepover if you cannot go home.”

© Chantae Henry

Elsewhere, Courtney Jelley’s work depicts her own relationship with both disability and identity. “My identity and what I would call a safe place have been ripped away from me,” she says. “For me, my home was embedded within Irish dancing. However, that was torn away from me when my disability, a medical condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, started taking over my everyday life. My work represents the emotion I felt being unable to dance.”

By giving young people the platform to spotlight the issues that matter to them, Common Ground seeks to readdress the balance. For the artists – all of whom worked with Autograph and University of the Arts London on their Album programme – it’s an opportunity to be heard.

 

© Courtney Jelley

© Toby Wright

© Trey Robinson

© Hayleth Dawkins

© Celina Priebe

© Farihah Chowdhury

© Rihaz Uddin

 

© Sara Fathi

Common Ground is showing at London’s Autograph gallery from 14 – 20 November, 2018. 

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


You might like

A man with long curly hair and a beard wearing a green jacket against a dark blue background with "Analogue Appreciation" text in yellow.
Music

Analogue Appreciation: Joe Armon-Jones

All The Quiet (Part II) — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s keyboardist, producer and Ezra Collective member Joe Armon-Jones.

Written by: Joe Armon-Jones

Colourful collage of album covers and record sleeves on display in a gallery or museum setting, with glass panels on either side reflecting the vibrant arrangement.
Culture

Largest-Ever Display of UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Opens at Tate Modern

Grief Made Visible — Comprising hundreds of panels made by lovers, friends and chosen family, the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt returns in full for the first time since 1994 – a testament to grief, friendship and the ongoing fight against HIV stigma.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Rustic footbridge across a river, with people crossing it on a sunny day. Warm tones and shadows suggest an outdoor, natural setting.
Sport

In Medellín’s alleys and side streets, football’s founding spirit shines

Street Spirit — Granted two weeks of unfettered access, photographer Tom Ringsby captures the warmth and DIY essence of the Colombian city’s grassroots street football scene.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Diverse group of people with various expressions and styles, surrounded by bold text and graphics in dark colours.
Culture

Remembering New York’s ’90s gay scene via its vibrant nightclub flyers

Getting In — After coming out in his 20s, David Kennerley became a fixture on the city’s queer scene, while pocketing invites that he picked up along the way. His latest book dives into his rich archive.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Smiling people enjoying a night out, one person wearing a red hat and jacket.
Music

Huck teams up with Eastern Margins for a special SXSW London showcase

From Shibuya to Shoreditch — Taking place at Village Underground on Monday, performances will come from MONO, Nina Utashiro, Ena Mori, Jianbo, LVRA & Soda Plains.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Huck 79

We are all Mia Khalifa

How humour, therapy and community help Huck's latest cover star control her narrative.

Written by: Alya Mooro

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.