EP 109: Love in the Lens with Director/Photographer Myah Asha Jeffers
In this episode of Visual Intonation, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of Myah Asha Jeffers, an artist whose multifaceted practice is reshaping how we view the complexities of diasporic life. Born in London, raised in Barbados, and now based in London, Myah’s work spans photography, theatre, and film, with an emphasis on "Black Interiority." Her exploration of class, cultural identity, queerness, grief, and gesture challenges us to reconsider the nuances of daily existence within marginalized communities. She shares with us her insights, struggles, and triumphs, offering a window into the art that speaks to both personal and collective experiences. At the heart of Myah's journey is her debut narrative short film, *Bathsheba*, which world-premiered at the Toronto Inside Out Film Festival and had its UK debut at the S.O.U.L Film Festival at the BFI. The film tells the story of a grieving widow facing eviction, forced to live with a younger woman who unknowingly holds the key to her emotional liberation. Through this narrative, Myah intricately explores themes of mourning, vulnerability, and unexpected connections, all while capturing the rawness of the human experience. As we explore the making of *Bathsheba*, Myah reflects on the personal and professional motivations behind the film’s creation and its broader implications for her artistic practice. In addition to her work in film, Myah’s photography practice is both tactile and deeply personal. Using primarily analog techniques, she develops her own black-and-white negatives and hand prints in her local darkroom. This slower, more deliberate process informs her portraits, which emphasize the "regality and beauty" of her subjects, particularly those within the diaspora. Myah’s eye for intimacy and truth is evident in the photographs she’s shared with prestigious outlets like *Vogue* and *The Guardian*, as well as in her work with institutions such as Tate and Somerset House. She discusses the importance of her approach to portraiture, which blends careful preparation with improvisation, allowing for the creation of a genuine connection between artist and subject. Her work doesn’t just stand as art; it’s a document of the realities that shape our world. From photographing frontline health workers during the pandemic for the Empathy Museum’s 'From Where I’m Standing' project to capturing Black students for Cambridge University’s 150th-anniversary celebrations, Myah seeks to elevate voices often left unheard. Her photography serves as both a social commentary and a celebration of cultural legacy. Through her lens, she invites us to witness the hidden moments of struggle and triumph that define lives in motion, making the invisible visible and the mundane extraordinary. As Myah continues to build on her artistic journey, she’s embracing new challenges, including her upcoming residency at the Visual Studies Workshop in New York and her 2024 Joan Wakelin Bursary project in Montserrat. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of her creative process, offering a glimpse into the future of her work in photography, theatre, and film. Through her eyes, we are reminded that art is not just about what is captured; it’s about how it makes us feelSupport the showVisual Intonation Website: https://www.visualintonations.com/Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.comVante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directedbyvante/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@directedbyvante
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