ANEESA DAWOOJEE: MARCH OF THE HUMMINGBIRDS

About

Presenting the work of award winning portrait and social-documentary photographer Aneesa Dawoojee, March of the Hummingbirds is a compassionate and considered project that documents the rich histories and cultures of the Caribbean, along with Mauritius, whose histories are closely connected. This body of work stems from Dawoojee’s desire to show the power of community spirit and how cultures can crossover through shared values and acts of kindness.

Dawoojee’s strong belief in multiculturalism comes from her Trinidadian and Mauritian parentage. Places where African, Indian, Syrian, Chinese and European people could all be together in one place without judgement. Her home in South London is a similar meeting place of migrant communities who are creating their own fusion of British culture, where everyone has a place.

This project is in memory of all the elders whose ordinary lives were not reflected in textbooks. Inspired by her mother’s story, and extensive time spent in the Caribbean, Dawoojee has been moved to explore the deeper links between the West Indies and the UK, through themes of inter-race relations, indenture, gender, faith, love and feminism.

While she believes that there is no migrant story that comes without some painful recollections, Dawoojee’s photographs emphasises the importance in telling these histories by those who lived them. By sharing each story, she hopes to reduce racial tensions and divisions within modern Britain and to display the power in community.

“My hope is to one day have all this work go into every secondary school in the UK to compliment migrant history, as an alternative way of learning about one another, to encourage empathy (trust) and understanding.” – Aneesa Dawoojee

The majority of works within March of the Hummingbirds were first exhibited at the Royal Photographic Society as part of Only Human: Aneesa Dawoojee and we thank the RPS for their partnership & support of this exhibition.

This exhibition is kindly supported by MPB.

About Aneesa Dawoojee
Aneesa Dawoojee is a multi-award winning portrait and social-documentary photographer from South London. Her images aim to break down stereotypes, and celebrate the ordinary people and communities surrounding her.

Dawoojee is an associate lecturer at Northampton University and is a fellow at the Royal Photographic Society. She is the recipient of the RPS Solo International Photography Exhibition 163 Award, (2022) and has been featured in Forbes Woman Africa, BBC and the British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Humanity for three consecutive years since (2021). Her approach to visual communication has culminated in the touring exhibition Only Human, most recently displayed at the Royal Albert Hall, London (2024).

Dawoojee was most recently awarded the ‘Power of Photography Award’ in (2023) by AP magazine for “an outstanding body of work that shines a light on important issues, challenging perceptions and changing the way we see the world” – AP Magazine

About MPB
MPB is the largest global platform to buy, sell and trade used photo and video gear. We’ve served more than 625,000 visual storytellers and every year we recirculate more than 570,000 cameras, lenses and accessories. While visual storytelling is our main passion, circularity is at the centre of MPB. We promote sustainability, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

About RPS
The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) is an educational charity with a commitment to bring photography to everyone and as such is a world-leading photographic community, made up of accomplished artists, dedicated academics, hobbyists, and seasoned professionals. Membership is open to everyone.

Founded in 1853, when photography was in its infancy, the objective of the RPS is to make the art and science of photography more widely available. The RPS aims to inspire people through its innovative exhibitions, its award-winning RPS Journal, and recognise photographers in its highly respected awards. The RPS helps photographers create images through its educational programmes, qualifications, and its public initiatives; and it seeks to connect photographers through its UK and international community groups.