Ruth Ossai is a Nigerian-born photographer and visual artist based in London. She is best known for her work exploring the complexities of identity, culture, and belonging.
Born in Nigeria in 1988, Ruth moved to the UK at the age of nine. She studied photography at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, graduating with a BA in 2011. After graduating, she worked as a freelance photographer for several years before establishing her own studio in London.
Ruth's work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Tate Modern and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, as well as at galleries and festivals around the world. Her photographs have also been featured in publications such as Vogue Italia, The New York Times Magazine, and The Guardian.
In addition to her photography practice, Ruth is also an active member of the African diaspora community in London. She has collaborated with organizations such as Afro Hair & Beauty Live and Black British Feminism Forum to create platforms for dialogue around issues of race and gender.
Ruth's work has been recognized with numerous awards including the Magnum Graduate Award (2015), British Journal of Photography Breakthrough Award (2016), and Sony World Photography Awards (2017). In 2020 she was named one of Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 list for her contribution to photography and visual arts.