New photography exhibition at The Albany seeks to ‘break down stereotypes, increase wellbeing and build connections within the community’
Project curator Kareina Henry says that from a very early age, she always had “this driving urge to make the world a better place and help those within it. I think at my core this has never left me”.
She tells us about a new photography exhibition at The Albany, a community-driven project to celebrate “young men of colour and the things that bring them happiness and connection in a world that often stigmatises and stereotypes them”.
How did you come to be involved in the More Than a Hoodie project?
Kareina Henry: I feel the More than a Hoodie project chose me.
On the last day for submissions for The Albany’s Pizza and Pitches – where five ideas are pitched over pizza and the winner is voted for by the public – the idea for this project came to me with such clarity that I knew I had to pluck up the courage and apply.
I am so proud of the journey this project has taken and am excited about its future potential, too.
We are going to keep the online submissions open and hopefully continue to create a powerful showcase of Black boy joy for all to see.
What inspired the More Than a Hoodie project?
Firstly, a very simple but powerful activity during a lecture on my MSc Positive Psychology course, which looked at creativity and the arts, combined with positive psychology-based coaching.
In groups of three, we were tasked to find a meaningful picture to share and discuss. I was blown away by the amount of joy and clarity we found in our pictures. I was surprised by how strong the emotional connection was that you could create with others.
My second inspiration was born out of sadness, fear, anger, joy and hope! I am a mum of a four-year-old son and a proud aunty to two nephews, and my love for them is endless. When I look at them, I am excited to see who they will continue to grow into, their potential, kindness, love and fears… but it scares me to think that they may not be judged by their character but by their attire or the bias we hold.
I wanted this project to use photography as a tool to break down stereotypes, increase wellbeing and build connections within the community, not just for my nearest and dearest but for all.
The project wanted submissions to ‘redefine what it means to be young, black, and full of potential’ – why is this so important?
There is an array of depictions of young Black men and boys that shape collective narratives and, unfortunately, the majority cast them in a negative light.
Negative bias can be seen running through many systems, structures and communities. For example, in the judicial, education and mental health systems.
Charity Mind says: “Black men are far more likely than others to be diagnosed with severe mental health problems. But until they’re 11, Black boys don’t have poorer mental health than other boys the same age.”
It is not just a nice to have, it is essential to nurture the self-worth of young black men and boys.
Was there a common theme in the submissions?
I think the most beautiful theme that has come through is a sense of shared humanity, familiarity of things that bring joy and the human capacity for connection.
Find the exhibition online and in-person at The Albany, 9-30 March 2024
The Albany, Douglas Way, SE8 4AG
