Frédérique Cifuentes
I am a multimedia producer (photography and video), curator and educator leader based in London. My work has been deeply informed and enriched by my continuous multicultural experiences, cross-cultural dialogues and exploration of identities, histories and meanings. I specialise in the documentation and promotion of cultural identity and heritage.
Over the years, I have implemented many creative, media and educational projects and I have experienced a number of milestones. I worked with major cultural organisations and international institutions, NGOs, festivals, museums, galleries, broadcasters, online platforms, academics and corporate clients in the UK, the MENA Region and Sub-Saharan Africa.
My list of clients includes UNESCO, The British Council UK, Sudan and South Sudan, The Institut français Londres, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Leighton House Museum, the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SOAS, The Arab British Center, Action Contre la Faim, UNHCR, the French Embassy in Khartoum and The Rift Valley Institute.
My photography work has been exhibited world-wide in galleries and museums and published by The Independent, Middle East business news, African Arts, Armanco, among others. My films have been broadcasted by the BBC Arabic, Al Arabia TV, Universal TV, S24 TV Sudan.
I have curated a large number of international exhibitions such as: ‘World Press Freedom Day’ for UNESCO in Finland; ‘Sudan South Sudan Literature Week’; ‘Mogadishu 2030’ and ‘Sudan Singularities’ at P21 Gallery London; ‘Sudan International Photography Symposium’ in Sudan; ‘PhotoSudan Network’ at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
I also offer GCSE/ A-Level students and children unique, creative and interactive workshops to engage with photography, film and Arts & Crafts, in order to develop their knowledge and skills, inspire them, to get them to expand their creativity and their arts participation and finally to contribute positively to the intellectual development and personal fulfilment of each and every student.
I am a multiple grantee of the Arts Council England, AFAC (Arab Fund For Arts and Culture), the Arab British Centre, UK and a recipient of various photo awards.
I am also the founder and director of London-based creative agency Ray of Light Studio, which focuses on delivering high-end professional photography and video production as well as consultancy services.
I hold a master degree in Anthropology from Paris-X Nanterre; a postgraduate degree in Photojournalism from London School of Communications; and a Documentary Filmmaking Certificate, DFG’s DOCLAB, UK.
Tel: 0044 77177 55533
E-mail: fred.cifuentes@yahoo.com
Portfolio
Link to Portfolio / PDF file (2,5Mo)
Bursaries / Awards / Residencies
2020 Developing Your Creative Practice Award, Arts Council England, UK
2020 Nuits des Idées Institut français du Royaume-Uni, UK
2018 Arts Council England Artists’ International Development Fund, UK
2018 British Council Art Connect Us Research Grants: Sub-Saharan Africa, UK
2017-2013 Arab British Centre, UK
2017-2011 AFAC (Arabic Fund For Arts and Culture), Lebanon
2010 Art Grant Scheme, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, UK
2007 Merit photographer; The Fujifilm Distinctions Awards, UK
2007 – 2006 Artist in Residence, Leighton House Museum, UK
2006 Grants for the Arts, AArts Council England, UK
2006 Art Grant Scheme, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, UK
2005 Community Champions, The Scarman Trust, UK
2005 Award winner, Unltd, UK
2005 International Photography Awards, Honorable Mention, USA
2004 Grants for the Arts, Arts Council England, UK
2004 Prize-winner of the Humanity Photo Award, UNESCO
2003 CEDEJ, Centre Etudes et de Documentation Economiques, Juridiques et Sociales, France, Sudan
1995 Rebuilding Beirut, Land of Exclusion, first prize winner; Jussieu, Paris VII, France
Solo exhibitions
2013 Disappearing Heritage of Sudan 1820 – 1956, Mirghany Cultural Center, Sudan
2012 Disappearing Heritage of Sudan 1820 – 1956, Oriental Museum, UK
2012 Disappearing Heritage of Sudan 1820 – 1956, Brunei Gallery, London, UK
2010 Closer to Home, Leighton House Museum, UK
2007 Tableau Vivant and Evocative Orient, Leighton House Museum, UK
2003 Sufi Festivals in Sudan, Brunei Gallery, London, UK
2003 Sufi Festivals in Sudan, French Cultural Centre, Khartoum, Sudan
Group exhibitions
2018 Sudan South Sudan Literature Week, P21 Gallery, London, UK
2017 Mogadishu 2030, P21 Gallery, London, UK
2017 Sudan: Emergence of Singularities, P21 Gallery, London, UK
2016 World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO, Finland
2009 Cinema in Sudan, Format International Festival, UK
2005 Sufi Groups in Sudan, Khartoum 05, Sudan
2005 Kwoto Dance Company’s tour in Sudan, Royal Commonwealth Society, UK
2005 Sudanese Women Creators of Peace, British Museum, UK
2004 Sufi Festivals in Sudan, Assad Library, Syria
2004 Sufi Festivals in Sudan, Africa Days, UNESCO, France
2002 Sufi Festivals in Sudan, International Photographic Gathering of Aleppo, Syria
Publications
2018 Hyperallergic, The Expansive Literary Output of Sudan and South Sudan
2017 The Arab Weekly, Sudanese artists showcased for first time in London
2017 Aramco World, Sudan: Emergence of Singularities
2013 Africa InVisu, “Disparition du patrimoine colonial du Soudan”, 1820-1956, France
2012 Mashallah News, “Cinema in Sudan”, Lebanon
2008 African Arts Magazine, Summer 2008, vol.41, “Sufi Sheikhs, Sheikhas, and Saints of the Sudan”, UCLA, USA
2006 Qantara magazine, Institut du Monde Arabe, “Le Soudan mystique”, France
2006 Church Times, “Sudan’s man of courage”, UK
2005 Artfides, “24 Hours in The Life Of The Catholic Church”, Germany, Ethiopia
2005 Africultures, l’Harmattan, “Parfums de femmes / Sudanese Women”, France
2005 MEED, Middle East Economical Digest, “Dragon on the Nile / Merowe Dam Sudan”, DUBAI
2005 The Independent Magazine, “Islamic World & Sudan”, UK
2004 Kegan Paul publisher, Sudan Handbook, UK
2004 Polo Quarterly, “A tradition continues, Polo in Khartoum”, UK