Carlos Idun-Tawiah is a Ghanaian photographer and filmmaker based in Accra, Ghana, who centres on African resurgence and preservation of the dynamic lives of Black people in his work. Inspired by Ghana’s rich archival and fashion photography history, Carlos brings his lifelong investment in art into documenting the ever-changing landscapes of Black life across the African continent and the Diaspora.
Beyond preserving details about current upheavals in African cultures in and outside the continent, Carlos is driven by the historical connection that African peoples have to unique art forms. He is deeply interested in revitalising and correcting misinterpretations, disfigurations and gaps in long-lasting perceptions about the continent. Carlos’s work focuses on drawing out these unique understandings of the world around us by capturing Blackness in its purest beauty – from the young artists whose giddy sounds empower entire generations to the hairstyles which symbolise the boundary-breaking values of a community.
His passionate documentation of Black life across the continent and diaspora stretches out, photographing Michaela Coel, Naomi Campbell, and more. Carlos’ “Obaasima” work, a collaboration shoot with a group of creatives in Accra and a sequel of Sunday School “Hair Appointment” led by Josef Adamu, reflects his stunning point of view. The project was conceptualised when he decided to unpack the cultural roots of African hair braiding and threading; after reading a publication describing hair braiding as a “coronavirus hairstyle”, Idun-Tawiah felt emboldened to release the true narrative, going beyond beauty into true African history.
At the heart of his work is a mission to document the ever-changing landscapes of Black life and Black beauty in all of its forms, from hairstyles to overlooked hyper communities.
