Capturing Moments With Mika

One of the biggest driving forces that inspired me to start this blog, apart from my on again, off again love for writing, was the prospect of creating a space where I could share the talent found in our very own backyard that far too often goes without recognition. So today I am here to give credit where it is due, to the beautiful Mika and her incredibly gifted eye that is able to capture moments that may otherwise go unnoticed by some.

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, photographer Mika has grown a portfolio that I can only describe as a sense of home. Through the use of her warm tones, up close, and even intimate portraits, mostly taken on film, Mika has taken the stillness of imagery and brought life to it in way that makes each image feel familiar even if it is your first time seeing it. To me, her images are reminiscent of ones that you may find in the pages of an old Drum magazine or images of your parents in their youth. While she is commonly known for her photography, Mika believes that her creative abilities precede that title. She shared,

"I consider myself to be an artist, a lover of any creative pursuits. And as an artist, I absolutely enjoy getting my ideas out there and making a positive contribution, in whatever capacity, in the creative space. Corny but true".

She has described her art as intimate and purposeful, which I couldn't agree more with. The way in which she is able to capture her environments and the people in them creates a personal atmosphere that feels almost invasive, as if one were looking into the lives of people who are sharing intimate moments. Which makes sense once you understand that much of her inspiration is drawn from the experiences shared by those around her, "My photography and creative work is heavily influenced by my interest in people (primarily black folks), the music I listen to, the lives of my loved ones and the experiences that they share with me. If not that, it’s simply just how my brain works. I have A LOT of ideas that keep me up late at night hahaha".

The story-telling sense of warmth found in Mika's art reminds me of that found in New York based photographer Renell Medrano, someone who Mika has shared she would one day love to collaborate with. A collaboration that I would pay big money to see if I do say so myself. She also shared that she would "absolutely LOVE' to one day have her work featured in magazines such as Dazed, I-D and Sean Brown or to work collaboratively with the likes of Joe Greer. I hope to see more of Mika's art showcased in spaces that align with her warmth both as an artists and an individual and that these spaces do her phenomenal story-telling justice.

More of Mika's moments can be found on her Instagram, tumblr and Tik Tok pages, all @Mikamercy/Mikamercy_ .