'Let's start a conversation about black hair'

A woman says she wants to wants to "start a conversation" about afro hair, including the challenge of finding a salon that caters for black and mixed heritage people.

Rayh Mohammed, from Hull, has opened a photographic exhibition at the city's Ferens Art Gallery, which she hopes will challenge stereotypes.

Ms Mohammed said for many people even finding a salon that caters for black hair can be problematic, leaving some with no option but to call on family and friends.

The free exhibition, Hair: Identity in the AfroWorld, runs until 17 August.

Ms Mohammed, 34, said she now regularly travels to salons in Bradford, in West Yorkshire, and Kettering in Northamptonshire.

Referring to Hull, she said: "There's still a very small amount of people (salons) that attend to the nuances of black hair.

"That's why the home salon is such a big thing for a lot of black people. I do your hair, you do my hair."

The Nigerian-born artist said she loves her afro hair.

"It's versatile, it's strong," she said.

"I love the fact that it defies gravity. It teaches us patience. It forces you to sometimes be self-sufficient."

Visitors to the exhibition can learn about braiding styles and hair care techniques ed down through generations.

Ms Mohammed said she hopes people, including children, will find the exhibition "validating".

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.