London-based
Cian Oba-Smith focuses on roots, that is to say, the environment in which his subjects are situated. Through capturing real people in real situations in his personal projects, he illustrates the narratives of those in often forgotten communities, for example, the African-American horsemen of Philadelphia and the rapidly depleting community that is Tory Island. Despite stating that he is drawn to subjects that resonate with him personally, he has often shot outside of the United Kingdom, using photography both as documentary and as a commentary in countries as far afield as China. Both haunting and beautiful, these photographs tell a tale of the way that Westernisation of the east has, in some ways, converted traditional custom but a shadow of its former self.