About me
Hello there, my name is Noah Tjijenda, I am a photographer and researcher, born and raised in Germany. My experiences growing up half Black, half white in between two worlds have shaped my identity and my practice. Both of which I consider to be inseparable.
During second year of this degree my practice started to take shape. Both the pandemic and the BLM movement have changed me fundamentally. I was more than happy that these events happened during my time at university. As I used photography as a device to process my past and start healing for the future.
During the first lockdown I fell into crisis: starting to question Germany and how diverse it portrays itself to be. As my own experience do not fit into this narrative, I felt like I had to document my contrasting experiences. Out of this conundrum, my first project “Verlorenes Heimatgefühl” (translation: “Lost sense of home”) emerged. I would describe this project as the pivoting point within my practice, as it influenced and inspired the ones that followed.
Consequently, I started specialising on the topics of race, representation, and identity. All with the motivation of showcasing the issues underrepresented communities must deal with regularly.
I believe that this approach can create empathy within people that are not affected. Empathy will create the space for dialogue. And dialogue will hopefully inspire change. I am aware that this is nothing that will be achieved short-term, I rather see it as a lifelong mission that will bring change.
Projects
- JE CAI 2022.2 Collection for London Fashion WeekWe created a three minute stop motion video, using the footage of two separate cameras (used 8 but the timeframe did not allow for the extensive editing needed to include further cameras). The short clip showcases JE CAIs newest modular collection. Utilising stop motion we were able to create fluent transitions between the different clothing.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours)London College of Communication, UAL
- London, United Kingdom
BA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography