We recently connected with Lennox Makurumidze and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lennox thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
My mission is to give voice and meaning to the stories of people like me, in terms of social background, ethnicity, and race. Ever since I was a child, I was surrounded by stories of heroes, villains, scientists, artists, and dreamers, but none of them felt like me. It was as if I was hearing about distant, idealized figures who didn’t talk, walk, or feel the same things I experienced.
I come from very humble beginnings, and one could argue that I still am in these times. When you come from a background like mine, from the unnoticed parts of the world, people rarely talk about your stories. It’s hard to find people you can relate to, and even when you do, it often feels like someone has stolen your voice and used it in the wrong way.
My wish is to ensure that one day, a young Lennox out there can look at my stories and say, “I feel heard, I feel seen, and I am inspired to change my circumstances through my dreams, desires, and passions.”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For those who may not know me, I describe myself as a ‘pixel poet,’ blending photography and poetry to elevate African voices and shed light on key social issues. Poetry and photography are aspects of my mind—my tools. I got into photography as an avenue to express my chaos, and I’ve always resonated with Vision from Marvel, who said that chaos and order are the same thing. Creativity, to me, is making peace with that fact. I was fortunate to be in an environment that nurtured my need for self-development, and in the chaos of poetry, I found the order of photography, and vice versa.
My journey into photography began with a desire to challenge perceptions and create visual narratives that authentically represent African realities, free from stereotypes and misinterpretations. Over time, I developed my craft into something more conceptual, focusing on storytelling through both photojournalism and conceptual photography.
I’m the founder of the Harvest Project, a collaborative initiative merging poetry and photography to tell African stories in a unique and compelling way. My work has been exhibited at renowned venues such as artHARARE and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, and I’ve had the honor of being featured in publications like Newsday, Harare Magazine, and GQ South Africa. One of my proudest moments was contributing to the Montgomery Photo Festival, which allowed my work to reach a broader, international audience.
What sets my work apart is its dedication to reshaping how African narratives are seen and understood. I’m passionate about solving the problem of misrepresentation and providing a space for African stories to be told with authenticity. And what I want potential clients and followers to know is that with me, we will create art—one way or another. Ultimately, my work is about more than just imagery—it’s about creating a dialogue, fostering understanding, and celebrating the complexity and richness of the African experience.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
As creatives, we often overlook the immense power of reading. It can significantly enhance our capabilities and open up new worlds. Creators need constant stimulation from information, scenarios, situations, and experiences. We yearn to feel, touch, hear, and taste. The best way to achieve this is by immersing ourselves in as much reading material as possible.
Traveling can be expensive, but traveling through a book is very accessible. There is a wealth of material available online that can help you understand your craft, yourself, and other places in ways that will move you. I believe that as a creative, you should dive into a captivating book every single day. Watch as your art and creativity grow in ways you could never have imagined.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
Create amazing work up until no one can ignore you
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lennoxthephotographer.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lennoxthephotographer?igsh=ajdmZnBtbGcxY2Rw&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennox-makurumidze-1259521b3?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: https://x.com/lennoxthepoet
Image Credits
Lennox Makurumidze photographer