Celebrating Creative Excellence: Kirtana Rajeev
Publication date:
Photography Tutor Kirtana Rajeev Recognised in Portrait of Britain
Ravensbourne University London is celebrating the achievements of Kirtana Rajeev, Technical Tutor for Photography, whose work has been selected for the prestigious Portrait of Britain Award, Volume 8, by the British Journal of Photography.
Intro
Her winning portrait has since travelled far beyond the gallery walls, appearing in major publications including Malayala Manorama, Kerala Kaumadi, Mathrubhumi, Deshabhimani, The Guardian, and Aesthetica Magazine.
Kirtana’s celebrated piece, “Threads of Home: A Portrait of Kate,” is a personal exploration of identity, heritage, and belonging. Reflecting on the collaboration, she shared:
“When (the model in the photo) Kate first reached out to collaborate, we discussed how we could merge fashion and culture in a way that felt honest and deeply personal.”
The portrait grew from conversations about Kate’s Guyanese-Caribbean heritage and the layered experience of growing up British while rooted in another cultural world. Kirtana explains how their stories intertwined.
The award winning portrait from Kirtana
Kirtana quote 2
The feeling of in-betweenness, of navigating multiple identities while always being drawn back to home, resonated with me. As a South Indian woman living in the UK, I understood that quiet negotiation between cultures - the constant balancing act, the pride in where you come from, and the moments of disconnection that make you search for home in unfamiliar places.”
Her own lived experience shaped the emotional depth of the work: “I, too, carry a world within me: the sounds, colours, language, and rituals of South India, even while building a life in a different land. That dual sense of belonging, both rooted and in motion echoed Kate’s experience.”
South London’s Brixton was chosen as the setting, a place rich with Caribbean history and personal meaning for Kate: “I wanted the images to feel like a journey, like stepping into a space that bridges past and present, tradition and evolution.”
Together, they crafted the styling with intention - bold colours, textured fabrics, and silhouettes that honoured both heritage and contemporary expression.
Kirtana quote 3
Fashion is a language; a way to visually articulate identity. In a world where we constantly shift between identities, sometimes it’s in the returning to those spaces that we rediscover who we are. This series is about resilience, pride, and the beauty of carrying two cultures within you.”
At Ravensbourne, students learn directly from active industry professionals like Kirtana, whose expertise and ongoing creative practice shape the future of their fields.
Find out more about our undergraduate photography and postgraduate photography courses and discover how you can learn directly from industry-active practitioners like Kirtana.
