So last month was the Biannual Diffusion Photography in Cardiff, so I made sure to come back for the weekend to explore this year's exhibitions and enjoy some top class photography.
Although I was by no means as involved as I had been back in 2015 I definitely wasn't disappointed by this year. The theme was revolution, and though I enjoyed the previous "Looking For America" theme, revolution had more substance, it connected with me a lot more.



The revolution theme was split up into four parts, picturing the revolution, new sexual revolution, building the revolution, and big data revolution. The sexual revolution parts were definitely my favourite, probably because they were the ones closest to home and things I myself have protested and campaigned about. Seeing a revolution that I'm part of that is playing out in many parts of the world which, day to day, I don't have access to was an amazing and inspiring insight. From transgender women in India, gay portraits in Russia, the self expression of young girls from Nepal, and some, these were definitely things that I felt a personal connection to and made me feel humbled, empowered, and incredibly lucky.
I also did love building the revolution for the same reason that it showed things on a global level, something that always fascinated me.
Days of melancholy:, the real life of gay people in Russia
Bhopal: focusing on trans communities in South Asia
I loved also having portrait of trans Indian women on the outside of a building that two years ago held the portrait of native american people. It was bold, and powerful.

Peace signs: photographing the anti-nuclear campaign from 1980-84
That's not to say I didn't enjoy the exhibits focused around past revolutions, on nuclear weapons, the environment, the Vietnam war. All of these were inspiring and beautiful pieces that showed people had done something and made a change,, but they weren't quite as personal to me.
State of the nations: a critical tool connecting international movements for social and political change


With all the political and social unrest that seems to have erupted in the last year it was definitely fitting that the theme was revolution, it felt kind of necessary.
And I say all this but my favourite image was the first one I saw, this one of Tony Blair taking a selfie. It's simple but makes a great point.

I did feel like this year was slightly less organised and put together than the last festival, with venues that were a little tricky to find and some that were actually shut, but I still managed to make my way to most of the exhibitions, and the ones I made it to were amazing. I just hope that 2019 can be even better, and that I'm here to be involved. It's always nice having bigger events, especially art and cultural ones, in a small city like Cardiff.
Untitled: following protests in London over the last twelve months


I definitely recommend checking out the exhibitions from this year's diffusion festival on their website. I was a huge fan of everything I went to, and it was awesome to see beautiful exhibitions that celebrated revolution, diversity and people coming together to try and make the world a better place. And I hope that it inspired other people as much as it did for me.