Harold Offeh - UK

Harold Offeh – Four ways to feel amazing 4min 2002
Using the language 'self-help' books and magazines this video attempts to explore and satirize the current fascination with 'pop' psychology. The self improving voice over is juxtaposed with mundane activity.

Harold Offeh - Smile 4min 2002
Smile is a literal attempt by the performer to mimic and follow the instructions of a song. As a result the performer simply holds a smile for as long as possible.

Over the past seven years I’ve primarily worked with time-based media; video, sound, animation and photography. I completed a BA in Critical Fine Art Practice at the University of Brighton in 1999. Next I did a two-year MA in Fine Art Photography at the Royal College of Art, London. During the course of my MA I developed a body of video work which tries to engage with discourses of identity, representation, language and desire. I’ve adopted strategies such as performance, animation and found footage. My work also seeks to confront the viewer with an assessment of contemporary popular media, i.e. music, TV and cinema.
In 2000/2001 I was fortunate enough to take part in several major group exhibitions, including 10th East International, Norwich Gallery, Norwich, UK and New Contemporaries 2001, selected by Chris Ofili and Mike Nelson at the Camden Arts Centre. Since graduating I’ve had two solo exhibitions in London and this year I’ve exhibited in two major exhibitions, Veil, a touring exhibition produced by inIVA (the institute for international visual arts). In addition I was invited to contribute to In Focus: From Tarzan to Rambo a special group display at Tate Modern, London.