Chijioke Grant Uzoanya bags BAFA certificate as visual art career develops

Emerging photographer and visual storyteller Chijioke Grant Uzoanya, professionally known as Grant Elvis Galleria, has received a Certificate of Participation from BAFA, adding to a growing portfolio of creative engagements since he began exploring photography in 2025.

Uzoanya’s participation in the BAFA programme is part of a broader period of creative development that has seen him take part in community-focused and artistic initiatives aimed at strengthening his practice in photography and visual storytelling.

He discovered photography in February 2025 and has since explored visual storytelling through themes including identity, culture and human experience.

While the BAFA certificate marks a recent milestone in his creative journey, Uzoanya said formal recognition is only one measure of artistic development.

For the emerging artist, participating in creative projects, working with other creatives and engaging with communities are equally important to building experience and developing a distinct artistic voice.

His recent engagements have included activities with City in Frames Bradford and Move Right Bradford, which have exposed him to different approaches to community-based visual art and storytelling.

According to Uzoanya, these experiences have helped him better understand the role photography can play in documenting communities and capturing individual experiences.

His creative approach focuses on using photography not only for aesthetic purposes but also as a medium for preserving stories and documenting aspects of people’s lives and cultural experiences.

Uzoanya’s academic background in biochemistry has also influenced his approach to photography, particularly in areas such as observation, precision and attention to detail.

As he continues to develop his practice, Uzoanya is working towards establishing Grant Elvis Galleria as a creative identity centred on photography, storytelling and cultural documentation.

The artist is also preparing for ARTx, his next major creative project, which he said will provide an opportunity to present his work, examine his artistic progression and explore some of the experiences and ideas that have influenced his development.

With his photography career still in its early stages, Uzoanya’s BAFA certificate forms part of a wider process of building experience, developing his creative voice and establishing a body of work that reflects his evolving artistic identity.