28/05/2026
To celebrate our 180th birthday, we are highlighting some of our incredible alumni across our social channels. This week, we are focusing on Hamza Ashraf, who completed our Foundation Diploma in Art and Design in 2020 and graduated from our BA (Hons) Filmmaking course in 2023.
After graduating, Hamza completed a residency at Dock Street Workshops as part of the Funded Studio Space scheme facilitated by our Careers, Employability and Enterprise team. Whilst completing their residency, Hamza received mentoring from Sam Hutchinson and had access to Aire Street Darkroom through the scheme. Hamza was also mentored by South Asian creatives through the Mentoring Matters and Diet Paratha schemes.
Hamza is now a publisher, photographer and curator based in Leeds. Their practice spans self-portraiture, publishing and independent arts programming. Since graduating, they have self-published two books and recently founded Deepstate Press, an independent publishing platform focused on contemporary Asian, African & SWANA visual culture and stories.
