shashasha

As part of the so-called “Windrush Generation”, Dennis Morris immigrated from Jamaica to London in the 1960s together with his mother. Still a child, he soon discovered photography and embarked on a remarkable personal and creative life – from having a photograph printed on the cover of the Daily Mirror when he was 11 to being discovered by Bob Marley while skipping school and photographing the Sex Pistols, Oasis, The Prodigy, The Style Council, Stone Roses, Patti Smith, Public Image and practically every other notable pop culture figure of the following decades.

“Colored Black” focuses on photographs taken during Morris’ early teenage years and depicts life of Jamaican and black minorities in 1960s and 1970s London. Composed of portraits (Morris had built a simple studio in his mother’s flat) and snapshots, “Colored Black” captures the hardship, positivity, creativity, style and enthusiasm of a community that went from being called coloured people to being defiantly and proudly, Black.

“Coloured Black” includes forewords by Dennis Morris and actor Tadanobu Asano as well as short anecdotes and explanations by the artist throughout the book. All text in English and Japanese.