Becoming 54Ruum

2 mins read
Published16th May, 2025

You might’ve noticed we went a little quiet lately — and if you were looking for us, thank you. We’ve been thinking about you, too. Now we’re back, with something big to share:

PHOTORUUM is now 54Ruum!

So … what happened?

On Sunday, May 11th 2025, our Instagram page was suddenly suspended and permanently deleted within 24 hours, following a conflict with Meta AI. This took us by surprise — especially since we’ve always played by the rules. But rather than dwell on the loss, we saw an opportunity.

The Rebrand: Why 54Ruum?

We’ve been dreaming of an identity that reflects who we truly are. The name PHOTORUUM was just the beginning — now we’re evolving.

What 'Ruum' means:

Ruum is our stylised take on “room” — a space. A space to connect, learn, grow, and be discovered. It’s the soul of our community.

What '54' means:

The number 54 represents the 54 countries that make up Africa. It's our homage to our roots, and a statement about where we’re building from — a creative powerhouse rooted in Africa, made for the world.

Old and new logo graphic

Why now?

Let’s be honest. Our previous name, Photoruum, was just a bit too close to Photoroom, a well-known AI photo editor. This overlap created confusion—and may have even contributed to our page being taken down.

So we took this moment to reclaim our story, realign with our mission, and step confidently into a new chapter — one that’s truly ours.

What’s next?

We’re back stronger than ever, with the same mission: To celebrate, support, and showcase Africa’s most talented photographers and visual artists — like you.

Thanks for staying on this journey with us. We’ll see you again very soon.

FOLLOW OUR NEW INSTAGRAM


With appreciation,

The Ruum Africa Team

Credits

Text

Rah & KMÒ

Logo & visual identity

54Grid

SHARE THIS STORY

Discover photographers in Africa

Djuledji Mucyo: Rwandan fashion and documentary photographer capturing authenticity, identity, and lived experience | 54Ruum Spotlight
Kevin Katoto Kitenge: Congolese fine art photographer highlighting identity, african beauty & visual poetry | 54Ruum Spotlight
Farid Daba: Nigerian-Beninese fashion and editorial photographer exploring identity, culture, and self-expression | 54Ruum Spotlight
Glenn Epouta: Gabonese portrait & food photographer highlighting African beauty, everyday life & authenticity | 54Ruum Spotlight
Patrick Wanyiri: Kenyan documentary photographer honouring human stories with compassion and authenticity | 54Ruum Spotlight
Youness Sefyaoui: Moroccan visual artist exploring belonging, solitude, and human connection | 54Ruum Spotlight