Iko-Ọjọ Mercy Haruna is a visual artist and documentary photographer dedicated to capturing the fleeting moments of family life and stories that dive deeper into the realities and complexities of motherhood.
Her latest project, Offspring aims to create space for Black mothers in the UK to share their stories related to the physical and psychological changes that come with the transition into motherhood.
Alongside her photographic practice, she’s a parenting writer and podcaster and has worked on a number of projects including co-hosting BBC World Service’s Parentland - an evidence-based podcast that investigates parenting questions through the lens of scientific research and global cultural practices. She currently co-hosts ‘Photo Mama Podcast: Conversations on all things Motherhood, Photography and Life’ with Elsie Kibue-Ngare.
Iko-Ọjọ Mercy was born and raised in Nigeria, spent her teens in France and moved to the UK to pursue a BA in Visual Communication and MA in Photography.
For all enquiries, please email imharuna@outlook.com.
Portrait by Saskia Albers
RECENT FEATURES
Women Express the Joys and Frustrations of Motherhood in Photos
Black Joy Through Food: The Vegan Nigerian - Sweet July
Offspring: Motherhood Stories from the Perspective of Black Mothers in the UK
Black Women Photographers - Photo Vogue Festival 2021
16 Questions About One Photo - Flickr
A Tribute To My Mother - MyPhoto
Black Women Photographers On The Theme of “Home” - The Guardian
100 Visions of Fatherhood - The Luupe
Discussing Photography with The BlkGaze
6 Photographers On What Motherhood Means to Them - BuzzfeedNews
Black Motherhood Gallery - Meta for Creators
100 Visions of Motherhood - The Luupe
Interview for 30 Day Photo Project by EK13 Photography
“This is Home” on For The Love Of The Photograph
EXHIBITIONS
2022 - Black Women Photographers Exhibition - BBC Embrace
2022 - ‘Moments in Time’ - Creative Health Camden (formerly Free Space Project)
2022 - Portrait of Britain x JC Decaux
2021 - ‘Ife Nkili’ Black Women’s Arts Festival
2021 - Beauty and Power in the Everyday, Up & Culture Club, BBH London
2021 - UKBFTOG Showcase at The Photography Show
2021 - Summer Exhibition, The Halpern Gallery Chatham
2021 - Transforming Perspectives Exhibition, Documentary Family Photographers
2014 - MA Degree Show, UCA Canterbury
2012 - D&AD New Blood
2012 - My Playground: Visual Communication Degree Show, AIU London
AWARDS/GRANTS
2021 - Portrait of Britain - Winner
2021 - SmugMug/Flickr x BWP Grant - Finalist
2021 - Grand Plan Fund
2021 - Flickr World Photography Day Contest - ‘People’ Category Winner
2020 - Documentary Family Awards - Finalist
2018 - 12th Julia Margaret Cameron Award - Honourable Mentions
PUBLICATIONS
Eye Mama: Poetic Truths of Home and Motherhood
Top Tips for Black and White Portrait Photography - Amateur Photographer Magazine
Portrait of Britain Volume 4 - Hoxton Mini Press
“This is Home” - Summer 2021 Issue, Click Magazine
Black and White Family Documentary - Amateur Photographer Magazine
This Detailed Life Magazine - Autumn/Winter Issue 2020
TALKS/PODCASTS
Artist Talk - ‘Moments in Time’ - Free Space Project
BBC World Service ‘Parentland’ Podcast
MEMBERSHIPS
UK Black Female Photographers (UKBFTOG)
EDUCATION
2014 - MA Photography - University for the Creative Arts
2012 - BFA/BA (Hons) Visual Communication - American InterContinental University/London South Bank University