Stephen Isaac-Wilson

Based in London, Stephen has built an enviable reputation within the art, fashion and music video worlds. As a visual artist his work has been commissioned by, and exhibited in, institutions such as the Tate, Barbican, Serpentine and Victoria Miro. His natural ability to build creative relationships with cutting edge talent has led him to work with the likes of Mykki Blanco, Isaac Julien and breakout music artist, Griff.

His style combines his journalistic background with his visual sensibilities, and in doing so tells beautifully emotive, thought-provoking stories. Inspired deeply by exploring topics around race, sexuality and intimacy his work is often a celebration of culture.

In film Stephen recently collaborated with Film4 on a powerful project looking back at the Black Pervert Network parties of the 1990s, celebrating the influence of seminal queer artist Ajamu X. As part of the Tate’s Queer British art 1861-1967 exhibition, Stephen was commissioned to direct an intimate film portrait of a subject close to him, with the aim of depicting the diversity of LGBTQ experiences in Britain today. He was also commissioned to direct a film for the barbican’s modern couples exhibition in autumn 2018. In partnership with the British Council and Boiler Room, and through rare archive and exclusive access, Stephen directed a 20 minute documentary that celebrated the 30-year legacy of alternative Queer raving in the Manchester.

More recently Stephen collaborated with iconic British artist Neneh Cherry and i-D Magazine to mark the 30th anniversary of Raw Like Sushi by reimagining the music video for Buffalo Stance. In addition to this Stephen has directed films for Dior, Ahluwalia, NTS Radio and a spectrum of other projects with long term collaborator Ib Kamara including their epic music video and fashion film, SINEGAL.

Stephen is currently on the much coveted BFI flare/BAFTA mentorship scheme and has had his work screened in competition at BAFTA qualifying Iris prize and Leeds festival.