Not A Country

Not A Country examines the notion of Africa as a homogeneous geographical entity; instead, it celebrates the continent as a cultural powerhouse. Through an exploration of various attires and textiles, the project interrogates the black body within the British landscape.

The exhibits recognize the significance of fabric as a representation of a community's shared identity across the entire African continent, from the northern Sahara to the southern Cape. The series of photographs prompt discussions on how colonialism, capitalism, religion, and globalization have impacted the traditional dresses of indigenous peoples across the continent, encompassing 3000 ethnic groups in 54 countries.

By employing migrant postgraduate students as models, the project scrutinizes their material culture, using articles of clothing as intricate tribal symbols that represent history, culture, and the complexities of migration, identity, and differences.

Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin II is a documentary photographer and filmmaker whose work investigates the colonial gaze on the black body, ethically explores human conditions in marginalized communities, and disrupts existing hierarchies of power relations. His work has been exhibited across Africa, Europe, and North America, and he has worked on projects for global charities and corporate organizations.