Unearthing identities, the stories of six photographers

These artists, presently exhibiting their work in Lagos, are inspired by their history and identity as African. From Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos   With the lens of their cameras, the ingenuities of their foresightedness and the experiences derived from years of practice, six professional photographers are currently on the Lagos exhibition floor, showcasing their products that […]

These artists, presently exhibiting their work in Lagos, are inspired by their history and identity as African.

From Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos

 

With the lens of their cameras, the ingenuities of their foresightedness and the experiences derived from years of practice, six professional photographers are currently on the Lagos exhibition floor, showcasing their products that portrays what they understand to be African.

Tagged ‘Gbam! Unearthing and Reclaiming a New Becoming’, the exhibition is being hosted by the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi and co-curated by A White Space Creative Agency and SMO Contemporary Art.

The photographers cum artists said their work seeks to question Africans’ continual unearthing, uncovering, discovering and re-imagining perfection. This they said, is inspired by their history and identity as Africans. 

‘Gbam!’ presents evocative photographs by Daniel Obasi, Kadara Enyeansi, Kola Oshalusi, Lex Ash, Noma Osula and Ola Ebiti, six avant-garde fashion photographers exploring “who we are, and who we aspire to become as we explore our collective Gbam! These bold, new-generation photographers sift through our rich fashion, culture, traditions, narratives and symbols to challenge our aesthetic identity as we project a renewed understanding of perfection from a millennial standpoint,” Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, one of the co-curators and founder of SMO Contemporary Art, said.

Indeed, within the array of works, Noma Osula’s portraits of chiseled tribal marks across his subject’s striking Bantu features are juxtaposed against pink fabric, whimsically wound around a stout physical presence. Osula said he explores traditional scarification and African concept of beauty and traditional symbolism against the interplay of striking whimsical adornment. 

A 25-year-old from Redeemer’s University, Osula said work often involves the use of textures, vibrant colours and gestures which draw inspiration from the regularity of everyday life in his environment. He noted that often, a slight integration of fashion and minimalism helps build the aesthetics of the portraits he tries to portray.

With over 12 years photography experience, Kola Oshalusi, 38, said he produced a documentary that depicts youths in northern Nigeria in a way that captures and evokes emotional naiveté. His works, he said, are a clustering of untainted stillness and repose within an arid, harsh landscape. 

“The black and white images present a lyrical expose of young adults, always in clusters, facing forward with resilience despite their stark surroundings,” he said.Oshalusi’s work has featured in publications such as, Elle USA, Conde Nast, Mania, among other. He is a self-taught photographer with training stints from various accomplished photographers around the World.  

On his part, Daniel Obasi said his works, including those currently on the exhibition floor are often guided by certain Afrocentric idealism. The 23-year old said he is currently developing a heartfelt style that takes viewers into ever-evolving imagination. Like Oshalusi, Obasi is also a self-taught photographer who takes on a rather symbolic and metaphorical approach to his works.

Though a menswear stylist based in London, Ola Ebiti said his works often reflect Nigerian history with bias for highlife between the ‘40s and ‘60s, which he merges with contemporary menswear fashion. 

“These images aim to transcend region, hopefully creating a rich visual landmark for Nigerians, but also create relevant visual language within the international menswear scene. As a stylist my approach to Gbam is focused on the traditional Nigerian look and how it can be translated to the current times,” Ebiti said.

For another 23-year old self-trained fine art photographer, Kadara Enyeasi, a good photograph is driven by a narrative, a good eye through the camera, which always sees something that wills the audience in.

“My works are generally influenced with an understanding of form, space and perspective; mostly due to my background training as an architect. My early influences stretch from the high concept layered order of the ‘five points’ postulated by Le Corbusier to the classic avant-garde portraitures of the early West African photographers. Images created by me, seem to riff with shadows of everyday sexual provocation,” Enyeasi said. 

For an Estate Management graduate of Covenant University, Ota, Chidi ‘Lex Ash’ Ashimole, he said his images are consistent in evoking feelings and connects with whoever comes across them. 

“I am particular about visual storytelling, art directing, poetry and natural aesthetics. My works have availed me the opportunity to influence the international community and I have been privileged to show at a private exhibition by McKinsey & Company. It is my aspiration to be a major driving force in the recognition of art in Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” Ash said.

A White Space Creative Agency founder who is also the exhibition co-Curator, Papa Omotayo described ‘Gbam!’ as an exhibition that showcases the exciting diversity of images currently being created by a new generation of Nigerian visual artists. He said from his observations, the works are fluid, referential, charged with self-reflection and steeped in the narrative and contradictions of modern contemporary African identity and style.

On her part, Obiago said, “Gbam! broadens the common perception of fashion photography as an art form and spreads its tentacles wide to provide socio-economic critique as it questions perfection vis-à-vis identity, equality and traditional norms and expectations.” 

A fashion editor and writer, Mazzi Odu, who was also at the pre-exhibition briefing noted that the six photographers draw on cultural historical roots and attempt to divine their essence whilst simultaneously presenting “a balanced, sometimes ambiguous whole, one that belongs entirely in the present, and may, possibly point to a new, bolder, more beautiful future.” 

Organisers said Gbam! will be on stand for three months, running across June till September 2018.