It all started a few days ago, on October 27th. The African Artists’ Foundation, known for its innovative contributions to the art scene in Lagos, has once again astounded the creative community with the final selection of artists participating in the 14th edition of the LagosPhoto Festival. This international photography festival has become a beacon of inspiration, showcasing a myriad of artistic visions for hopeful change.
LagosPhoto Festival is on view till December 31, 2023, in select venues in Lagos, Nigeria Cotonou, Ouidah, and Porto-Novo, Benin.
find out more via @lagosphotofestival
Bringing together an eclectic mix of 38 national and international artists, the festival celebrates talents from all corners of the globe, including Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, the United States of America, Ireland, and Australia. Among the esteemed lineup of photographers, we have the pleasure of welcoming back returning artists such as Raquel van Haver and Zanele Muholi, while also discovering the fresh perspectives of newcomers like Arko Datto, Eugenia Lim, and Rehab Eldalil.
This year’s theme, ‘Ground State – Fellowship Within the Uncanny,’ serves as a profound invitation for photographers to delve into the depths of the present moment. Through their lens, they explore the intricacies of repair, syncopation, putrefaction, restitution, and restoration. Each image serves as a vessel, carrying the weight of our collective desire for positive transformation.
In a groundbreaking move, the LagosPhoto Festival extends its cultural reach beyond the bustling streets of Lagos, expanding to Cotonou, Ouidah, and Porto-Novo in the Republic of Benin. “This geographical expansion ensures that a wider audience can engage with the powerful works of these talented photographers. As we immerse ourselves in their thought-provoking art, we are forced to confront our complicity in a culture rooted in consumerism and material desire.”
Photography has always possessed an enigmatic power, but in the past two decades, it has also been at the forefront of shaping post-truth ideologies and contributing to the fragmenting of societies. As we navigate the unsettling possibilities and anxieties of the twenty-first century – from the aftermath of the pandemic to growing conflicts and the undeniable signs of climate change – it becomes even more crucial to question the prevailing colonial mindsets that perpetuate a futile hierarchy.
Society finds itself in a “Ground State,” where conventional wisdom no longer applies. In this turbulent landscape, the urgency to restore, repair, and restitute the mysteries of oral histories and core elements for survival becomes paramount. Against this backdrop, the 2023 edition of the LagosPhoto Festival invites artists to present new perspectives on humanity’s revival and equilibrium. They artfully portray hopeful visions of social, political, environmental, and spiritual change, igniting the spark of inspiration in our hearts.
Since its inception in 2010, LagosPhoto has fostered a supportive community of local and international artists who unite through the language of contemporary photography. Through a diverse range of exhibitions, workshops, screenings, and impressive outdoor installations, the festival enriches both education and public spaces. It captivates global audiences while offering profound insights into the historical and contemporary narratives of the African continent, beautifully encapsulated through the lens of photography.
The festival’s recurring themes of restitution and cultural heritage have set the stage for groundbreaking programs. In 2020, ‘Rapid Response Restitution – The Home Museum’ prompted audiences to retrieve their personal and family’s cultural heritage, resulting in an inclusive digital exhibition that ignited conversations on the significance of cultural preservation. Similarly, ‘Searching for Prince Adewale Oyenuga’ in 2021 centred around a missing suitcase containing a historic archive of photos and paintings, which was repatriated to Nigeria from Barcelona. This project shed light on the theme of restitution, sparking reflections on the implications of reclaiming lost heritage. Finally, in 2022, ‘Remember Me—Liberated Bodies; Charged Objects’ delved into the influential role of photography in shaping and archiving community stories and individual identities, ultimately shaping our perceptions of the present and the future.
As the LagosPhoto Festival embarks on this exciting journey into unexplored territories, we eagerly await the thought-provoking visual narratives that will unfold before our eyes. Brace yourselves for an immersive experience that will challenge perspectives, inspire change, and ultimately redefine the power of photography in our fast-evolving world.
The artists participating in the 14th edition of LagosPhoto Festival are Adrian L. Burrell, Aïsso Eliane, Ailbhe Ní Bhriain, Amina Kadous, Arko Datto, Candela Paniagua, Carlos Idun, Chris Iduma, Eugenia Lim, Federico Estol, Fikayo Adebajo, Georges Adeagbo, Gloria Oyarzabal, Gohar Dashti and Hamed Noor, Isadora Romero, Ishola Akpo, Jon Henry, Laeila Adjovi, Louis Oke-Agbo, Maheder Haileselassie, Maija Tammi, Matthew Thorne & Derik Lynch, M’hammed Kilito, Minie Atairu, Mo Laudi, Phil Toledano, Poulomi Basu, Prince Charles Uhunoma, Raquel Van Haver, Raul Jorge Gourgel, Rehab Eldalil, Roman Butym & Pavlo Kyryk, Sophie Négrier, Tobi Onabolu, Trent H. Bozeman, Wesaam Al Badry, Zanele Muholi and Zora J Murff.
