‘Godfather of black british photography’ receives honorary doctorate from birmingham city University
Dr Vanley Burke, the award-winning photographer renowned for documenting Black British life and culture, has been honoured with an honorary doctorate from Birmingham city University (BCU). Often hailed as the ‘Godfather of Black British Photography,’ Burke’s work has created one of the most comprehensive archives of Black British experiences, capturing the struggles and triumphs of a community often overlooked by mainstream narratives.
Born in Jamaica in 1951, Burke moved to Birmingham at the age of 14 to join his parents. His journey into photography began much earlier when, at the age of 10, his mother gifted him his first camera. By the time he arrived in the UK in 1965, photography had already become a means of expression and exploration.
Reflecting on his beginnings, Burke revealed, “I wanted to document the struggles of the Black community in Britain. If you are constantly being told by your schoolteacher that you, as a people, had contributed nothing to human civilisation, it is not good to hear. I decided we needed to write our own history, to document our own history, because the life of Black people portrayed in the press wasn’t the life I was experiencing. I decided I would use photography as my tool.”
Burke’s career has been marked by a profound commitment to preserving the lived realities of Black communities. He has travelled extensively, including a pivotal trip to South Africa to document life following Nelson Mandela’s release. His work has been featured in books, television programmes, and on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. Burke is also a recipient of the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Award for his contribution to visual art.
One of Burke’s most iconic photographs, Boy with a Flag (1970), features a young Black boy proudly holding a Union Jack attached to the handlebars of his bicycle in Handsworth Park. Burke attributes the timelessness of the image to chance, saying, “If the wind didn’t blow at the time, the photo wouldn’t exist. It’s about the right place, the right time, the right execution.”
The Vanley Burke Archive, which is housed at the Library of Birmingham, stands as a testament to his dedication. It contains thousands of images that chronicle decades of Black British life, culture, and history. His personal flat in Nechells also serves as a treasure trove of his photographic legacy.
The honorary doctorate from BCU is one of several accolades Burke has received over the years, including honours from the universities of Leicester and Wolverhampton. However, this latest recognition holds special significance for the photographer. “It’s from my hometown, so it means more,” he said.
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Burke’s work is not merely a collection of images; it is a powerful response to a history that has often ignored the contributions of Black communities. “It wasn’t about me informing white people,” he explained. “It was to serve our purpose – the Black community from a historical perspective.”
For those inspired by his journey, Burke offered straightforward yet profound advice: “Concentrate on what you have to do. Get rid of your television, your mobile phone, because they can steal your time.”
Now aged 73, Burke’s impact on photography and cultural history is undeniable. His lens has captured not just the stories of individuals but the broader narrative of a community’s resilience, pride, and identity. As Birmingham City University honours his extraordinary contribution, Burke’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of photographers to document and preserve the stories that matter most.
Dr Vanley Burke’s life and work remind us of the transformative power of photography as a tool for representation, resistance, and storytelling, ensuring that the voices of marginalised communities are not just heard but celebrated.
