The dynamic cultural tapestry that defines the vivacious spirit of Lagos comes alive in the Abi Morocco Photos exhibition at Autograph Gallery

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

Following Nigeria’s independence in 1960, photography in the country underwent a significant transformation. The 1960s and 1970s saw an influx of photographers who sought to document the lives, events, and traditions of Nigerians from their perspectives. This period marked the emergence of personal and detailed photography. Notably, this approach to photography went beyond the basic portrait to capture the essence of Nigerian identity and heritage.

Many photographers in post-independence Nigeria turned their cameras toward capturing the everyday lives of Nigerians, with an emphasis on local customs, festivals, and ceremonies. One such photographer was J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere, whose series Hairstyles became a defining collection that celebrated the beauty and intricacies of Nigerian hairdressing traditions. Ojeikere’s work remains an iconic reference in the study of African identity and culture.

Documenting Nigerian Life: Iconic Photographers and Studios

Another influential figure in Nigerian photography is Samuel Fosso, a self-taught photographer who used self-portraiture to explore themes of identity and representation. His works, filled with rich symbolism and storytelling, reflect the complexities of African identity in a rapidly changing world.

In Lagos, the photography studio business flourished, with many photographers establishing portrait studios to capture formal portraits of individuals and families. One such renowned studio was Abi Morocco Photos, which became a staple of Lagos’ photographic scene.

Abi Morocco Photos: A Legacy of Capturing Lagosian Spirit

Abi Morocco Photos was the brainchild of the husband-and-wife team of John Abe and Funmilayo Abe. Established in the 1970s, the studio soon became synonymous with capturing the vibrancy of Lagos life. Active until 2006, the Abi Morocco Photos studio’s black-and-white portraits became a visual record of the city’s cultural evolution during a time of significant social change.

Abi Morocco Photos: Spirit of Lagos, a photography exhibition currently at the Autograph Gallery in London, celebrates the contribution of Funmilayo and John to photography in Nigeria. Curated by Lagos Studio Archives and Bindi Vora, the photography exhibition offers a unique glimpse into this influential studio’s history. It showcases iconic portraits that represent the diverse and dynamic spirit of Lagos. More importantly, it proves the craftsmanship of the Abes, who navigated the challenges of a male-dominated industry during their time.

Abi Morocco Photos Exhibition: The Dynamic Spirit of Lagos

Funmilayo Abe: A Trailblazer in Photography

Funmilayo Abe’s role as a pioneering female photographer in Nigeria remains indelible. Born in 1953 in Mushin, Lagos, she began her photography career at a young age. She was an apprentice under Nike Photo from 1967 to 1970 and later went on to do her own thing. Despite having no formal education beyond primary school, Funmilayo’s passion and talent propelled her to open her own studios.

Her work included studio portraiture, street photography, and documentary projects. These genres have earned her recognition as one of Nigeria’s most influential photographers. Even after her retirement in 2021, Funmilayo Abe remains a key figure in the development of photography in Lagos.

John Abe: The Visionary Behind the Lens

John Abe, born in 1956 in Ekiti, Nigeria, got his inspiration for photography at a young age. He began his career at 12 years old, observing a local photographer at work. John later apprenticed with Mr. Oladiran Asaiya (known as “Yankee Photo”) before establishing Abi Morocco Photos with his wife. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to his craft helped cement the studio’s place in Lagos’ photography scene.

John Abe’s portraits captured the spirit and essence of everyday life in Lagos. They showcase both the joy and the challenges of the city’s diverse populations. John’s work has left an indelible mark on the Nigerian photographic landscape.

Vibrant Life of Lagos in Abi Morocco Photos Exhibition

Lagos is a city that never stops moving—a dynamic fusion of cultures, traditions, and modernity. From the bustling markets and crowded streets to the diverse personalities that shape its identity, Lagos captures the essence of urban life in Africa. Through Abi Morocco’s lens, the city comes alive in all its complexity in this fascinating exhibition.

In their quest to capture the city’s vibrant culture, they traveled around on Vespas, which had their studio name boldly displayed on the windshield, to publicize it. Their adventure took them to different parts of Lagos, where they captured numerous events: graduation ceremonies, weddings, parties, and naming ceremonies in amazing black-and-white pictures.

In the Abes black-and-white photos, people dance to highlife music, juju, and traditional music, enjoying the joy of street life. They are vivacious and gladly pose in front of shops, vans, and piles of tires, waiting to hear the click. These photographs tell stories of resilience, joy, struggle, and community. The energy of Lagos is palpable in the Abes’ work.

Each photograph in the Spirit of Lagos reveals the people who make the city a dynamic hub of Nigerian culture. They showcase the city’s rapid urbanization as well as celebrate the rich cultural tapestry and vibrancy that define urban Lagos life.

Behind the Lens: Capturing Stunning Black-and-White Portraits

In their studio on Aina Street in Lagos, Funmilayo and John produced masterful work, capturing Lagosians with dignity. The subjects arrived dressed in their finest attire: polished shoes and elegant outfits. Some wear traditional Nigerian clothing, while others choose modern styles. Mini dresses, bell-bottom pants, platform shoes, loafers, and designer glasses are common in these images. These individuals are stylish and eager to be photographed at their best—sharp, youthful, and confident. They strike their most flattering poses, exuding contentment. These photos were meant to be cherished with pride.

Capturing the essence of a person in a single frame is no easy task, especially in black-and-white portraiture. For the Abes, it involves much more than just snapping a picture—it’s about evoking emotion through careful composition, lighting, and timing. In their work, every shadow and highlight has a purpose; it guides the viewer’s attention to the subject’s face, where the true story lies.

The Abes often used a mixture of studio and natural light to create striking contrasts, accentuating the contours of the subject’s face and the surrounding environment. Their mastery of composition—whether capturing a candid moment on the street or a posed studio portrait—reveals not just the person’s outer appearance but the character, emotion, and life they carry. It’s a delicate balance of technical skill and artistic vision that makes their portraits timeless.

The Beauty of Black-and-White Portrait Photography

The Abes photographs on display are reminders of the power of black-and-white photography. This medium holds a unique power in capturing the raw essence of its subjects. It strips away the distractions of color to focus purely on light, shadow, and emotion. Through their masterful use of this unique characteristic of black-and-white photography, the Abes skillfully convey the depth and intensity of Lagos life.

The Abi Morocco Photos exhibition reveals the power of photographs to communicate emotions and innermost thoughts. By focusing on expressions, body language, and subtle details, the Abes connect viewers with the soul of the subjects, whether they are passersby on a bustling street or intimate portraits of everyday people. The simplicity of black-and-white emphasizes the moods and emotions that color photography often dilutes. Every one of the Abes’ portraits is a timeless representation of Lagos’s vibrant, ever-changing atmosphere.

Why Abi Morocco’s Work Resonates

Abi Morocco’s black-and-white portraits resonate deeply with audiences because they are more than just images—they are windows into the lives of real people. Each photograph in the Abi Morocco Photos exhibition tells a story, often captured with such authenticity that viewers can sense the subject’s life experience. Whether it’s a joyful expression or a contemplative gaze, the Abes images transcend the confines of the camera. They reveal the emotions and struggles of Lagos’s inhabitants.

These portraits are a visual archive of Nigerian heritage, preserving moments of everyday life that might otherwise go unnoticed. The ability of these photographs to evoke such raw emotion and preserve cultural history is why they continue to resonate with both local and global audiences. This makes Abi Morocco’s work a cornerstone of Nigerian photography.

Transition to Digital Photography: Challenges and Preservation

The turn of the millennium brought about significant changes in the photography industry. The advent of digital photography poses challenges for traditional studios. Abi Morocco Photos, like many other studios, faced the dilemma of transitioning from analog to digital formats. Unfortunately, this shift resulted in the loss of many physical negatives and archival records. These lost materials were integral to preserving the studio’s history.

However, initiatives like the Lagos Studio Archives project have played a crucial role in rescuing and preserving the rich legacy of Nigerian photography. Launched in 2015 by Karl Ohiri and Riikka Kassinen, this project aims to protect the invaluable cultural heritage of Nigerian portraiture. Additionally, it strives to ensure that the stories of photographers like the Abes are not lost to time.