Affectionately called ‘Lucky Jim’, James Barnor radiates optimism. At 92, he swears by a regimen of maintaining good relationships and listening to music for his “ever young” outlook. While photographing Ghana’s high society, comedians, yogis and aspiring musicians, Barnor managed bands and hosted concerts until dawn at his studio in Jamestown, Accra. Join us for an afternoon of music and activities that celebrates Barnor’s enduring creativity.
Come and experience a visual display showcasing a selection of images submitted by the public via Family FOTO – Serpentine’s digital open call exploring what family means across the world. The afternoon also features an acoustic tribute to the Ghanaian band and cultural troupe Fɛɛ Hii, which Barnor managed for over twenty years performed by UK based west African drummers. Also joining us are British-Somali authors Amina Jama and Samatar Elmi who will recite poetic responses to historic images taken by James Barnor, presented in collaboration with flipped eye publishing.
Join us in the evening as we celebrate some of the best music out of Africa in the last 50 years with No Signal, the radio station celebrating Black British culture and communities.
Discover more and watch the live stream: No Signal Presents: After Hours
Amina Jama is a Somali-British writer. She is an alumni of Barbican Young Poets, co-host of BoxedIN and member of Octavia WOC Collective. Her work explores displacement, dual cultural identity and family.
Samatar Elmi is a poet, PhD candidate, education consultant and activist. His writing plays in the liminal spaces between racial, socio-cultural and political identity claims.
flipped eye is a not-for-profit independent publisher founded by Ghanaian British editor and author, Nii Ayikwei Parkes. It has won global critical acclaim, playing a pivotal role in developing poets such as Inua Ellams, Malika Booker, Miriam Nash, Nick Makoha and Warsan Shire.
