Jamaican-British photographer, Karis Beaumont creates art that generally focuses on themes of beauty tones and emotive expression. Her talent for capturing intimacy is acclaimed and distinct. Beaumont founded Bumpkin Files, a community resource focused on Black life in Britain outside of the London-centric narrative. Karis has collaborated with a number of brands including rolling stone magazine, Levis, Nike and Netflix. In 2018, ABAM exhibited her work in “The African Art Experience” hosted in Harare, Zimbabwe. Since then we have seen her grow into a formidable force. We caught up with Karis in a quick-dive into her work and creative process.
You have an undeniable bright future ahead. It’s almost hard to believe that you’re a self taught photographer. Your work shows much skill and you manage to capture emotions vividly. How were you exposed to photography growing up?
K.B.: My parents used to take a lot of photos of us all! Family holidays, family functions, moments at home, the lot. I can’t count how many photo albums we have, but my parents really took the time out to curate these special, priceless times. I’m grateful for that.
Themes that are shown in your work are culture authenticity, how did your in Environment in Hertfordshire inspire that?
K.B.: A large chunk of my childhood was spent amongst a very close-knit family and Afro-Caribbean community. I found community in church, family friends from my mother and father’s separate hometowns. That factor as well as being exposed to travelling, naturally led me to appreciate culturally rich themes and affairs. Culture has always been of interest to me, but photography really allowed me to express those interests.
What part do you consider artists play in society?
K.B.: Artists play a huge part in storytelling and historically recording events that have happened, and are currently having presently. A lot of art and music is being created in the midst of the pandemic which is important. Future generations can look back at the work and really understand the complexities of the time of the global pandemic.
What is the most fundamental part of being in the art world, and what do you think is missing?
K.B.: The most fundamental part of being in the art world is love. We lack love in the world as it is, so it’s important to have a love and respect for how we approach art, and the message we put out through art is rooted in love.
Would you like to share a bit more on your personal project “The Misconceptions of Black Brits Outside
the Capital”?
K.B.: I wanted to creatively direct a visual project that played into stereotypes attached to Black Brits who live outside London. I teamed up with Blk Brit to help push this visual project and message to their mainly London-based audience. In doing so, I thought it was important to feature two very talented people from different parts of the UK, and allow them to share their unique, often overlooked Black British experiences.
Themes on Culture Authenticity have stayed true to you so-much-so you founded “Bumpkin Files” which is an incredible multi-media platform, community resource, and archive which explores Black life in Britain beyond London. Please take us through bringing this idea to life.
K.B.: Being a Black woman born and raised in a small town in Hertfordshire, I noticed how there was a lack of storytelling, reference and exploration on Black British themes beyond the capital. I saw a few Black-British platforms pop up, which was exciting to see, but couldn’t help but notice the recurring issues when it came to the scope. I decided to do a small archive project where I scanned some pictures from my own family photo albums, and released them on my website. The purpose for this was to start up conversations, and even give people an insight of my upbringing. Not only did the project receive positive feedback, but it led me to connect with creatives who lived local to me. From there, I created an IG account, started a photo series photographing the community around me, and researching images from the past via open submission and internet searches. The rest was history!
Our favorite story from “Bumpkin Files” is Introducing UK’s Most Exciting Emerging Events House: Backyard Bounce, it’s always great to see positive black spaces, do you think you’ll capture more Black-British spaces or underground spaces?
K.B.: I’ll 100% be documenting Black British spaces and underground ones too! It’s our duty, as Black people, to record these events. Throughout time, we’ve had non-Black people with lack of care or respect for us as a whole, control and even manipulate our narrative. It’s great we have spaces, and have Black people in the limelight, but Infrastructure is also just as important.
What is your vision for Bumpkin Files and what stories do hope to document in the near future?
K.B.: My vision for Bumpkin Files is to help bridge gaps between different Black communities across the UK and Ireland, and overall provide a community resource for us all. When I started off as a photographic artist, I found it hard to stay in the loop with what was happening creatively, as London is the main hub for jobs and opportunities. It was difficult to get paid gigs too, so I’m hoping with Bumpkin Files I can connect people with opportunities, spaces and plug them into things that may encourage them to reach out to other people.
Take us through your creative process. How do you work and how do you engage with your models?
K.B.: An essential part of being a photographer ensuring that models are comfortable and feel safe. The camera can be intimidating, so reassurance can go a long way. My approach in life, and in my practice is‘anything can be beautiful when you look at it with love.’ Emotion is something we’re constantly surrounded by, so my style of shooting is being able to capture that in essence.
If you had to choose, what 3 things can’t you do without?
K.B.: God, loved ones and travelling the world.
What is integral to your art process?
K.B.: Authenticity and honesty.
If you had to choose, which piece is your favorite?
K.B.: It’s such a hard choice, but I really like one of my recent test shoots with ‘Fikayo’. I wanted to experiment with studio lighting, and was overall happy with how the shoot turned out.
What memorable responses have you received about your work?
K.B.: The most memorable moment was when my project with Uber made it onto billboards. A lot of people reached out and were amazed at the progress and were genuinely happy for me.
Do you have a dream project?
K.B.: I have a few, but one of my dream projects would be working with Solange.
You’ve worked with have captured some big names, we believe more is coming, but we’ve got to know – have you ever been starstruck?
K.B.: So far, I haven’t found myself starstruck! I’m not sure if it’s due to me seeing humanity in everyone, or if that time hasn’t come yet!
Professionally, what are your hopes for the coming future?
K.B.: Worldwide exhibitions, published photobooks, magazine and album covers, a platform dedicated to teaching photography to young people with dyslexia, as people with dyslexia are usually visually/creatively gifted, and moving into directing/filming work.
How do you stay true to your creativity when creating work for a client? Have there been instances you had to completely kill your vision to complete a project?
K.B.: The people who approach me seem to understand my artistic style, so it’s very rare that I’ve had my creativity killed in the process.
Which African artist would you like to collaborate with?
K.B.: Fatoumata Diawara and Burna Boy for sure!
What do you think makes a photo beautiful and stand out?
K.B.: Emotive images really stand out to me. I can’t explain why, but it’s a very hard thing to do.
So our ABAM family members can follow your journey, where else can we find you online?
A: You can find me on Instagram and twitter (@karisbeau)