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'Afroworld' exhibition to celebrate black hair

Naj Modak
BBC News
Hull City Council A head-and-shoulders close-up of two women with black afro hair posing with their heads close together against a bright yellow background. One has her hand to her hair.Hull City Council
Volunteers from Hull have spoken about their relationship with their hair

A celebration of black hair is to open at an art gallery in Hull.

The exhibition, called Hair: Identity in the Afroworld, features portraits by local photographer Rayh Mohammed.

Each photo incorporates augmented reality in order to tell the story of the sitter and what their hair means to them.

It will open at the Ferens Art Gallery on Friday and is due to run until 17 August.

Raheena Mohammed A profiled of a woman with brown hair in braids. She is wearing an orange necklace and gold earring. Her right arm is raised against a plain beige wall. Raheena Mohammed
The exhibition blends photographs augmented reality to explore people's stories

Volunteers from across Hull have helped to create the exhibition by speaking about their experiences with their hair.

Shemel Fanfair, one of the organisers, said the show celebrated "the beauty and cultural significance of afro hair".

Visitors can learn about braiding styles and hair-care techniques passed down through generations.

Stephanie Edwards, a curator at the gallery, said it was "an exhibition for everyone, whether you have afro hair or not".

The event would also "address the historic imbalance of representation within the Ferens' collection", she added.

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