Shizza Majeed, an emerging photographer based in London, is gaining recognition for her profound exploration of cultural identity, particularly through her compelling series "Babaji's Britain." This work, born from her Kingston University graduate studies, sensitively documents her grandfather's journey as a Pakistani immigrant in the UK. Majeed's photography transcends simple documentation, evolving into a therapeutic and powerful tool for giving voice to underrepresented narratives. Her projects like "Babaji's Britain" and "Our Lives, Our Way, Together" illustrate the complexities of navigating multiple cultural landscapes, presenting an honest and intuitive reflection on her own heritage and that of others. Her approach challenges conventional depictions of migration, offering a refreshing and deeply personal perspective on integration and belonging.
Photographer Shizza Majeed Captures the Essence of Dual Heritage in "Babaji's Britain"
In 2025, London-based photographer Shizza Majeed garnered significant acclaim for her graduate project, "Babaji's Britain." This series, featured in Autograph ABP's online gallery and showcased on a digital billboard in Old Street, London, focuses on her grandfather, Ghulam Abbas, who immigrated to Britain from Pakistan in the early 1960s. Majeed's collaborative portraits with Abbas intricately explore how over five decades of life in Britain have sculpted his self-perception and contemporary identity.
Majeed's talent was further highlighted when she was shortlisted for the British Journal of Photography's "Portrait of Britain Vol. 8" for a portrait of Abbas and named a finalist for the Association of Photographers Emerging Talent Award 2025. This project, subsequently supported by Counterpoints Arts, utilizes a green backdrop—a subtle homage to the Pakistani flag—and contrasts elements from both British and Pakistani cultures. The series, comprising eight portraits, playfully examines the fusion of traditions and the inherent complexities of identity that arise from migration. For instance, her photograph "A Familiar Taste," inspired by childhood memories of accompanying her grandfather to both British supermarkets and South Asian stores, powerfully symbolizes the constant negotiation of belonging to two distinct cultures.
Majeed, whose passion for photography began in childhood by observing her mother and receiving her first digital camera at a young age, initially viewed photography as a therapeutic outlet. It provided a platform to process her thoughts and emotions. However, during her university studies, she recognized its potential as a career and a means to amplify marginalized voices. Her personal experiences as a South Asian woman in the West heavily influence her current work, steering her towards creating imagery she wished to see during her formative years. Majeed is presently expanding on "Babaji's Britain" with a new project that investigates how modern British identity is shaped by migration, focusing on the cultural contributions of diverse communities. Additionally, she is in the early stages of a personal project exploring menopause, driven by her mother's experiences and the under-discussed nature of the topic, particularly within minority communities. Majeed's artistic journey, while deeply rooted in her heritage, continues to evolve, promising new perspectives and compelling narratives.
Shizza Majeed's work offers a compelling insight into the nuanced experience of cultural integration and the ongoing dialogue between heritage and adopted identity. Her ability to transform personal narratives into universally resonant art reminds us of the power of storytelling through photography, particularly in fostering understanding and empathy across diverse communities. It highlights the importance of artists like Majeed in capturing the richness and complexity of contemporary society, encouraging a more inclusive vision of what it means to belong.