Neal Gruer in the Media
We Are Here Scotland
In this interview with Scottish arts organisation We are Here Scotland, Neal discusses his move into the arts, how travel has influenced his practice, advice for young artists, and how the pandemic has affected his work
The pandemic brought obstructions but also opportunities. It allowed me time to study, think and develop ideas in different, deeper ways than I would otherwise have done. Instead of ploughing the same furrow, I’ve been able to pop my head out of the soil and scurry around the field. It’s nice out there.
Published 22 October 2021.
The Growing Up Brit-ish Podcast (Part 2)
In Part 2 of the podcast hosted by April, Danielle and Layla, Neal and his poet cousin, Kweku Ackom-Mensah, get into their creative pursuits and the processes behind them. For Neal's part, besides talking about his own photographic practice, he goes deep into his philosophies on life, and how creativity has become a huge part of building his perspective.
Watch the video for a clip in which Neal explains his feelings on mediocrity and click below for the full episode.
First available 11 June 2021.
The Growing Up Brit-ish Podcast (Part 1)
Hosted by three women of mixed cultural heritage, April, Danielle and Layla, Neal joins his author and poet cousin Kweku for a free-wheeling conversation centred around art, culture and identity. In this Part 1 of two, the group discuss their upbringing in different parts of the UK, how the world reacts to combined cultures and finding personal authenticity amidst social, familial and individual pressures.
First available 18 May 2021.
Afro Leads Podcast
Interviewed by Afro Leads founders, sisters Steph and Julie, Neal talks at length about his upbringing in Scotland; how his Ghanaian mother came to meet his Aberdonian father; his approach to and love for photography; why he left law; his own great romance; life in Romania; race and his perception of identity; plus much more besides.
First available 22 March 2021.
BBC Radio 5
Interviewed for the Emma Barnett show as part of Black History Month, Neal speaks about his upbringing in Scotland, his parents' relationship and his mixed-cultural background.
Photographer Neal Gruer describes himself as a Ghanaberdonian, his mum was from Ghana and his dad from Aberdeen, so a good combination there. He's been talking about grwong up in a family that celebrated both cultures.
Watch the video to hear the interview, with some added archival footage.
Originally aired 21 October 2020.
BBC Scotland: Black & Scottish
Director, Stewart Kyasmire, grew up in Glasgow in the 1980s, at a time where he felt there just weren't any obvious black and Scottish role models. Now a father himself, he is determined that his eight-year-old mixed-race daughter Yasmin grows up with a clear sense of black and Scottish identity.
In this film he brings together prominent black Scots from all over Scotland. These eminent role models tell their stories, passing on their experience to Yasmin and other young black and mixed-race Scots.
Originally aired October 2019.
View Trailer / Watch on BBC iPlayer
Red Bull România
A Ghanaian-Scottish photographer and writer takes the pulse of the street in Bucharest.
A bet with himself, to visit as many countries in Europe, brought Neal Gruer to Bucharest. Meanwhile, the city gave him more than he dreamed of: a girlfriend, the first book released and new projects.
Written by Andreea Vasile
5 September 2019
(In Romanian)
Vice România
How does Romania look when you compare the PSD rally with the gay parade in Bucharest?
On June 9, the PSD wanted to show Romania that it still has people on its side. In this regard they organized a rally in Piata Victoriei. But on the same day was Bucharest Pride, the annual event dedicated to the LGBTQ community in Romania.
For Romanians, the two moments were understood. But how were they for a stranger? Neal Gruer, Scottish-Ghanaian photographer, who documented the two events and gathered them in a photo book he is launching in Bucharest, responds to this curiosity.
Written by Teodora Tudosie
16 December 2018
(In Romanian)
Likha Magazine (Canada)
Travel through Europe with the Photographer and Writer Neal Gruer.
Although I began taking a lot of pictures during and after a round the world trip in 2009-10, things got really serious in 2015, when I left my job as a lawyer. At that point, I had been either studying, training or working as a lawyer for 11 years; basically the entirety of my adult life. I decided, however, that I wanted a change – to do something that fulfilled my significant creative impulses.
Written by Thaïs Davezac
21 May 2018
Sky Arts Master of Photography
In a unique talent search featuring some of Europe's best professional and amateur photographers, this stylish series boasts the world's largest photography prize.
Hosted by actress Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet, Joy), the tense competition draws photographers from eight countries across Europe, who go head-to-head in a series of distinct and wide-ranging challenges in a bid to win 150,000 euros.
Afropunk
Glasgow-Based,Scottish-Ghanaian Photographer Neal Gruer Shares Politically Charged SpokenWord Piece “Ever What it Must Be”
Glasgow-based Neal Gruer, a Scottish-Ghanaian multi-talented creative, recently released a spoken word piece entitled “Ever What It Must Be.” He wrote it as a, “response to the current atmosphere of social tensions in the US and UK” and addresses immigration, Brexit, capitalism, feminism, Black Lives Matter, chauvanism and “our tendency” to ignore the lessons of history.
Daily Record (Scotland)
Scottish photographer who gave up law for life behind a lens tries to win reality TV competition.
Taking photos was not a priority in his youth. Neal was too busy being school captain at Mearns Castle High School, playing the violin and cultivating the only afro on the south side of Glasgow in the 1990s.
Then, for his 18th birthday, his granny gave him an early digital camera.
Written by Anna Burnside
5 August 2016