In 2019, the Hymans commissioned Heather to produce a major new body of work inspired by the life of the Vaudeville performer and “Queen of the Cakewalk”, Aida Overton Walker. He says: “I was intrigued by the early 20th century craze for the cakewalk and its shifting significance. We had been collecting the original postcards and, by serendipity, Heather had also been looking at this imagery. So, it was obviously meant to be! This time the series uses the format of a postcard and is appropriately called ‘Wish You Were Here’. It is certainly one of her most powerful bodies of work.”

He adds: “We are particularly interested in contemporary women photographers who use their own presence to produce performative self-portraits that draw from the photo-therapy legacy of two of the key figures in British photography of the last half century, Jo Spence and Rosy Martin. It was fascinating to discover that, whilst a student, Heather had attended a workshop given by Rosy and that there was a direct connection in their use of
self-portraiture to explore issues around health and wellbeing.”

Agyepong has been using both photographic and performance arts since 2009 to create a range of works that explore mental health, activism and the diaspora. Through her lens-based practices and performances that draw on her own personal histories and work at understanding herself better, she hopes to create a cathartic experience for both herself and audiences.

Her latest deeply personal work, ego death, was created for the fourth edition of the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards, which commissions early-career artists working with photography to make ambitious new work. It’s inspired by psychiatrist Carl Jung’s concept of ‘The Shadow’ – the aspects of one’s personality deemed inappropriate, that have been shamed and repressed, generally during childhood and adolescence, by family, education and social norms. In ego death, Agyepong explores her own shadow; confronting, and making peace with it through this body of work. The exhibition will run until 10 December 2022.

Hymans says: “It was fabulous to see this intense new body of work, ego death, premiered at the Jerwood Space. We believe that Heather is one of the most exciting young artists working in photography and look forward to seeing her next body of work!”