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On the occasion of the first retrospective of Eileen Perrier's work, Autograph commissioned the artist to produce this new series of work exploring generational perspectives on change and self-discovery. Twenty-Two features portraits of Perrier's son and his friends both past and present alongside images of London that the artist created with a pinhole camera. Twenty-Two reflects on the complexities of growing up – its anxieties, joys and transitions into new phases of life.
"Becoming a single parent when my son was six years old had a profound impact on my personal and professional life; it forced me to reassess the direction of my career and the decisions I needed to make to move forward. Now he’s 22, I realise that these shifts were not just necessary for survival but essential for his growth and well-being. It taught me resilience, adaptability and the importance of creating a stable foundation for both of us." – Eileen Perrier.
Inspired by Renaissance paintings, each sitter gazes upwards and cradles a mobile phone, a complex symbol of connection and self-reflection. Perrier asked the sitters to consider their own growth and aspirations. Their words appear next to their images, reflecting on a rapidly changing world.
Twenty-Two will be displayed on the exterior of Autograph’s gallery from April – September 2025 as part of Eileen Perrier’s retrospective A Thousand Small Stories. Both Twenty-Two and A Thousand Small Stories form part of Autograph’s continued commitment to curate and preserve the legacy of important black women practitioners such as Perrier, and to ensure that their significant contributions to the canon of photography are recognised.
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"I’ve finally found something that inspires me and feels truly worthwhile. I dedicate myself to it every day without hesitation."
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"During the pandemic, I started college but fell behind. I couldn’t catch up and lost motivation. I felt a lot of pressure because only one of my four brothers went to university and graduated. I decided to take a different path. Now, I work in a primary school, and happen to also be one of the youngest members of staff. I’m happy with how it’s going, and my family are proud of me too."
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"Friendships shape so much of who we are. I wish I saw my friends more often, but people just don’t hang out like they used to. I guess that’s part of growing older. Still, it feels lonelier now than when I was 15."
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"I could list all the uncertainties, but in the end, I cross that bridge and keep going. So many of us are just trying to get by while chasing something better. You can’t get too hung up on the destination – you’ve got to enjoy the process."
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"As I continue this journey, I’m focusing more on my spiritual growth. My goals are simple: to be compassionate, wise and to ease both my own suffering and of those around me. Ultimately, I want to cultivate unconditional love for everyone."
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"Since leaving school, I’ve become more sure of myself and what I can do. I’m beginning to explore different paths and staying open to what’s possible and learn a lot as I go."
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"At 22, my friends and I are still trying to understand who we are and what we want, whilst struggling to navigate the fast-changing dynamics and narratives of the political economy. Yet, I still want to be hopeful. I hope our generation will take the lead in doing what’s right."
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"One of the most reassuring things I’ve come to learn is that adults don’t really have it all figured out. I used to assume that once you reach a certain age, everything clicks. Even the people who seem sure of themselves are still just winging it, they’ve just been winging it for a little longer."
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"My friends mean the world to me. They support me through everything, offering guidance and patience. It’s so important to have people who truly see you, help you make wise choices and stand by you as you grow, navigate adulthood, and move through life."
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"These days, I’ve become more intentional with my ambitions – and better at actually following through. I still put things off sometimes, but not like I used to."
Eileen Perrier (b.1974, London, UK) is an artist with dual Ghanaian and Dominican diasporic heritage, specialising in portraiture. Since the 1990s, she has been a photographer and senior lecturer in photography.
Her work has been widely exhibited, including Centre Pompidou (France); Hayward Gallery (UK); Tate Britain (UK); The Photographers' Gallery (UK); The Whitechapel Gallery (UK). Perrier was an artist in residence at Light Work x Autograph (USA) and Kunsthalle Schirn (Germany). Her works are represented in private and public collections, including Arts Council England (UK); Autograph (UK); Foundling Museum (UK); Light Work (USA); Sindika Dokolo Foundation (Angola); Tate (UK); and Wedge Collection (Canada).
17 Apr - 13 Sep 2025
A free exhibition contemplating class, cultural identity and belonging through the photographic portrait
Supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a Donor Advised Fund, held at The Prism Charitable Trust.
Banner image: Eileen Perrier, from the series Twenty-Two [detail], 2025. Commissioned by Autograph. Courtesy the artist
and Autograph, London.
All images on page: Eileen Perrier, from the series Twenty-Two, 2025. Commissioned by Autograph. Courtesy the artist
and Autograph, London.
About the artist: Courtesy Eileen Perrier.
Part of the exhibition: Eileen Perrier, from the series Ghana [detail], 1995-96. © and courtesy the artist.
Autograph is a place to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
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