Images of wonder

If you have yet to see A World in Common at the Tate Modern you have run out of time. That is, unless you can get to London by January 14. That said, you may still be able to enjoy the magnificent photographic works of some of the best contemporary artists from the diaspora on show there.

One of the best things about photography is that, unlike painting, sculpture and architecture, it is supremely portable, scalable and reproduceable. That is why a lot of the incredible work in this exhibition can be viewed on screen without loss of impact other than scale. With a big enough screen or printer, even this quality can be reproduced.

A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography brings together 36 artists who use photography to reimagine Africa’s place in the world. It is inspired by the continent’s rich cultural traditions, as well as present-day social and political realities, says Tate. The exhibition draws on the theories of Cameroonian philosopher Achille Mbembe, by inviting us to imagine ‘a world in common’. To do this, says Mbembe, we must "think the world from Africa".

I have yet to see the exhibition in full but the images I have seen so far have been the kind of visual and mental feast that is rare from a photography show. Color impact, alone, has to be seen to be believed.

Reviews laud the exhibition. The Guardian describes it as “exhilarating, dynamic, compelling, profound.... a vital experience, curated superbly. The show seeks to explore the many ways images travel across histories and geographies." The Telegraph says the exhibition is “compelling” and “an almost overwhelming task to gather the output of an entire continent and its diaspora from the start of photography." The show, says the paper, "does it admirably.”

Artists: Kelani Abass; Leonce Raphael Agbodjélou; Malala Andrialavidrazana; Atong Atem; Sammy Baloji; James Barnor; Edson Chagas; Kudzanai Chiurai; Ndidi Dike; Andrew Esiebo; Em'kal Eyongakpa; Rotimi Fani-Kayode; Hassan Hajjaj; Délio Jasse; Julianknxx; Samson Kambalu; Kiripi Katembo; Lebohang Kganye; Kiluanji Kia Henda; François-Xavier Gbré; Maïmouna Guerresi; Mário Macilau; Lazhar Mansouri; Sabelo Mlangeni; Cristina de Middel; Santu Mofokeng; Fabrice Monteiro; Aida Muluneh; Wura-Natasha Ogunji; Zohra Opoku; George Osodi; Ruth Ossai; Léonard Pongo; Dawit L. Petros; Zina Saro-Wiwa; Khadija Saye.

One of the themes of the event is the people depicted in the portraits and how their place in the world has changed since moving to the UK.

My family name has royal lineage; although I don't often feel royal being in London this has been an opportunity to connect with my ancestors and celebrate our royal roots - Ninette Osei

One such work, from George Osodi, superbly illustrates this dichotomy. Osodi's work includes photographs that capture and preserve images of Nigeria’s monarchs to offer a positive future.

This photograph struck me as particularly powerful and engaging while capturing, not just the majesty of the King, but the complexity of Nigeria's social history and its place in the history of the world. Crowned and berobed as he is, bearing an image of Queen Elizabeth II.

A World in Common, Tate Modern

Until 14 January 2024

Photography is often neglected in the pantheon of artistic form but if you have any doubt as to its belonging there, this is an exhibition to see, even if only on-screen or by acquiring the book of the exhibition.

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This article is the work of the author and any views expressed are his own, unless otherwise attributed. Tate is not responsible for this content and the article has not been sanctioned by Tate.