Women Dominate Lagos Photo Festival 2018

Yinka Olatunbosun

Setting new norms for Nigeria’s first international arts festival of photography, the organisers of the LagosPhoto Festival, have declared that this ninth edition will be female-dominated. The lead curator, Wunika Mukan, said LagosPhoto will have four female curators, a first since its inception. Call it the Girl Power! edition.

Titled, “Time has Gone,’’ the 22 participating artists drawn from 18 countries will explore the concept of time through the month-long exhibition, spread across multiple venues in Lagos.

At a recent press briefing held at the African Artists’ Foundation, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Assistant Director, LagosPhoto, Charlotte Langhorst said the choice of venue for the grand opening reception, which takes place tomorrow, October 27, is The Federal Printing Press Building, which is a few blocks away from Freedom Park.

The satellite venues for this edition include OmenkaGallery, African Artists’ Foundation, Alliance Francaise, Gallery 16/16, Hfactor and Railway (Yaba), while outdoor exhibitions will be experienced at public spaces such as Ikorodu Park, Falomo Roundabout and Freedom Park.

LagosPhoto had been the purveyor of the development and education of contemporary photography in Africa through its mentorships and cross-cultural collaborations with indigenous and international artists.

Breeding a refreshing air of healthy competition, LagosPhoto festival allows each participating artist to investigate the practices of archiving, preservation whilst imagining the possibility of an Afro-based future.
These photographers are Malala Andrialavidrazana(Madagascar/France), Emmanuelle Andiranjafy(Madagascar), Ismail Bahri (Tunisia/France) Sandra Brewster (Canada/Guyana), Kwena Chokoe (South-Africa/ Myanmar), Crazinis T (Ghana/Togo), AdjiDieye (Italy/Senegal), Ndidi Dike (Nigeria), Michele Pearson Clarke (Canada/ Trinidad), Mary Evans (UK/Nigeria), Abosede George (Nigeria/ US), Mathilde ter Heijne (Holland/ Germany), Amanda Iheme (Nigeria), Alfredo Jaar (Chile), Cassandra Klos(USA), Kitso Lynn Leliott (Botswanan), Amina Menia(Algeria), Emode Medeiros (Benin), Karl Ohiri (UK/ Nigeria), Olu Olatunde (Nigeria), Chibuike Uzoma (Nigeria) and Charlotte Yonga (France/ Cameroun).

A participating artist, Amanda Iheme, an architectural photographer and therapist said her energy is channeled towards capturing old buildings, some remodeled or unused for the purpose of documentation of time. The designer for the exhibition, Nifemi Marcus Bello assured the public that local artisans were sourced in executing the LagosPhoto project.

The Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Russel Brooks announced that the top three entries in a recent exhibition curated by the US Consulate will also be showcased at the festival.

The Director, Alliance Francaise, Charles Courdent, while reflecting on the theme, observed that since his arrival in Nigeria last year, he had noticed the sense of urgency in the Lagos temperament and even in the common greeting, “How far?’’

The LagosPhoto which ends on November 15 is sponsored by Mike Adenuga Centre, National Geographic, The US Consulate in Lagos, British Council with support from Ford Foundation. Other special projects at this edition of the festival are workshops such as Women in Photography, Canon Photography Workshop and National Geographic Portfolio Review.