A Perspective on Contemporary Nigerian Photography

The New Awakening magazine, a publication of the Ben Enwonwu Foundation in collaboration with Essential Interiors magazine proudly presents a photographic exhibition titled, ‘A Perspective on Contemporary Nigerian Photography.’

The exhibition is scheduled to hold at the Omenka Gallery, Ben Enwonwu Foundation at Ikoyi on Friday 25th of September at 5:00pm and end on Saturday, the next day. It will be opened by Dr. Sam Amuka, publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, who is the guest of honour. The New Awakening is an art and lifestyle magazine and the first of its kind in Nigeria.

It educates, informs and guides its readers on the arts including visual arts; sculpture, painting and photography. The publication is also a business guide with great entertainment value.

Essential Interiors is Nigeria’s first interior design magazine. It is a source book of ideas, inspirations and product information indicating everything related to interior design in Nigeria. The exhibition aims to showcase the remarkable works of Nigeria’s best-known names in this genre as well as emerging talent.

It provides a rare opportunity for the public to see and enjoy the exceptional skills and the progress made in the development of form and technique in contemporary Nigerian photography. The exhibition is sponsored by Interior Specifics, Regus, Cornerstone Financial Services, Svengali Designs Limited and I Design Interiors.

'A Perspective on Contemporary Nigerian Photography’ will feature outstanding works of veteran Nigerian photographers such as...

Tam Fiofori is an internationally renowned film-maker, photojournalist and media consultant. He has exhibited widely and remains a major influence to many photographers.

Sunmi Smart-Cole, an internationally acclaimed photographer, is self-taught and is known for his versatility and range of his interests. He is a multi-award winner whose works reflect his lifelong advocacy for the environment and sensitivity for natural subjects. His work is influenced by his love for music, fashion and art. He has trained over 30 photographers and is a role model and inspiration to many more.

J.D. Okhai Ojeikere is recognised as a world-class photographer. He became a studio photographer for the first African television station in Africa in 1961.He is well-known for his series of photographs dedicated to Nigerian culture and owns an impressive archive of images. Ojeikere has published several books on his work including his black-and-white book Nigerian Hairstyles (shot in the sixties and seventies).

George Esiri is a well-experienced photographer who has worked for Reuters International Press Agency UK and received many awards. He is renowned for his work documenting the Niger Delta region.

Kelechi Amadi-Obi a trained lawyer and has earned international recognition as a painter and photographer. He is well-known for his work in the advertising industry.

Mudi Yahaya, is a social documentary photographer, photojournalist and cultural activist, and works largely on long-term, self-assigned projects often focusing on the aesthetic relationship between images and post colonial deconstruction of the African identity. Over the years Mallam Mudi has worked with international organizations including UNICEF, UNAIDS and the BBC Trust.

Jide Adeniyi-Jones has worked as a professional photographer in Europe, Africa and the United States since 1974. His practice includes documentary, industrial and editorial photography.

Uche James-Iroha, a trained sculptor is also a photographer of international repute, having received several awards including the Prince Claus award in 2008. His works are enhanced with texts and graphics and address social and general issues. He is the director of Photo Garage, an outfit that provides logistics and offers an indigenous platform for domestic and global intellectual photography exchanges. Uche is also the director of the Depth of Field, a photography collective based in Lagos.

Emeka Okereke won the Best Young Photographer prize in the 5th edition of the Festival of Photography in Bamako, 2003. His work currently explores the relationship between video and photography. He has had a hand-full of impressive outings at major festivals and Biennales.

Others include...