Photographer Deljeem Rai Captures Community and Belonging in a Remote Scottish Island

Island Darkroom presents CEARNS, an exhibition featuring the work of award-winning Isle of Lewis photographer Deljeem Rai. This event marks Deljeem Rai's first solo exhibition and his debut showcase on his home island.

Deljeem Rai, a Nepali photographer, is currently balancing his studies at the Glasgow School of Art with his home on the Isle of Lewis. His work has garnered significant recognition, including the British Journal of Photography Portrait of Britain Award in 2023 and 2024, and a finalist position in the Scottish Portrait Awards in 2023. His images have been exhibited across Scotland in notable galleries such as the Scottish Art Club in Edinburgh, Kirkcudbright Gallery in Dumfries and Galloway, and The Glasgow Art Club.

Through sensitive portraiture and environmental photography, he explores themes of identity, belonging, and community. Deljeem uses the medium of photography to delve deeper into his experience of living with a dual identity of Nepali and Scottish and reconnecting with his childhood in Nepal, a part of his identity he became disconnected from after arriving in the UK as a teenager. His experience of cross-cultural migration is evidenced in his work which unpacks what it means to belong.

This project grew from a desire to explore Deljeem’s connection to and identity within the Cearns, a small housing estate in Stornoway. Growing up in Nepal gave him a strong national identity and sense of self, a sense that suffered after migrating to Scotland where a desire to fit into his adopted nation necessitated he disconnect from that identity. However, while living in the Cearns, Deljeem found a new sense of belonging within a community. There, he and his family became part of a community that had a strong sense of connection with each other and who supported and welcomed them. Portraying the Cearns through portraits of the people who live there and environmental photography, he hopes to create pride for those who live there, seeing themselves and their homes represented in a way that reflects their strong community values.

Island Darkroom is a photography gallery with its roots embedded in traditional process. Established in 2018 by award-winning photographer Mhairi Law, Island Darkroom draws exciting and varied work to the island from across the UK through a rolling program of exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. As well as exhibiting and sharing the work of contemporary artists, Mhairi keeps traditional skills at the fore by holding regular workshops in analog processes at the darkroom.

Based in the village of Achmore in the heart of the Isle of Lewis, Island Darkroom looks out over the undulating, loch-pitted peat moor to the Harris and Uig hills. The choice to build this creative space here came out of a love of the beautiful landscape that surrounds it, and a desire to create a rural, contemporary hub of creativity.

CEARNS runs in Island Darkroom until July 26, 2024. While many of our readers might not make it to a small island in the Scottish Highlands to view the exhibition this summer, stories from remote places are no less significant than those shown in mainstream galleries, and worthy of sharing with wider audiences. Seek out independent photography galleries when traveling to find new perspectives to connect with.

All images in this article are by Deljeem Rai, shot on medium format, 2022, ongoing.