Shizza Majeed Explores British Identity Through Photographic Portraits of Her Grandfather

Shizza Majeed, a British-born Pakistani photographer based in London, has gained recognition for her graduate series 'Babaji's Britain,' which examines questions of national identity through personal narrative. The project, created during her final year at Kingston University where she graduated last year, focuses on her grandfather Ghulam Abbas, who migrated from Pakistan to Britain in the early 1960s. Through collaborative portraits, Majeed explores how over fifty years of life in Britain have shaped his sense of self. The series received attention in 2025 when it was featured in Autograph ABP's online gallery, with selected works displayed on a digital billboard in Old Street, London. Majeed was shortlisted for the British Journal of Photography's 'Portrait of Britain Vol. 8' with a portrait from this series and named a finalist for the Association of Photographers Emerging Talent Award 2025. The project later received support from Counterpoints Arts. In an interview, Majeed explained that her work is heavily influenced by her experiences as a South Asian woman growing up in the West, though she initially resisted exploring heritage themes for fear of being stereotyped. Her dissertation research on photography's roots in British Colonial India helped her overcome this resistance. The 'Babaji's Britain' series consists of eight portraits taken against a green backdrop, referencing the Pakistani flag, and incorporates elements from both British and Pakistani cultures to visualize cultural hybridity. Majeed cites photographer Simrah Farrukh's series 'Andarana' as a significant influence. She is currently developing a sister project to 'Babaji's Britain' that expands the conversation about British identity beyond her personal history, as well as a personal project about menopause inspired by her mother's experience.