Sep 22

Sep 22 Preserving Lagos

Art, Creative People, Culture, Photography

Abi Morocco Photos: Spirit of Lagos The exhibition at Autograph London, featuring the Lagos Studio Archives, is not just another art show—it’s a cultural phenomenon that speaks to the heart of visual media's power to preserve history and identity. This exhibition is a celebration of the vibrant and rich visual language that emerged from the streets and studios of Lagos from the 1970s to the early 2000s, a period of immense change and creativity in Nigeria.

What makes this exhibition so exciting is its focus on the work of Abi Morocco Photos, a historic studio run by John and Funmilayo Abe, which documented life in Lagos with an authenticity and intimacy that could have easily been lost to time.

As temperatures in West Africa soar to extreme highs, the preservation of these delicate film negatives becomes even more urgent. The Lagos Studio Archives, initiated by Karl Ohiri and Riikka Kassinen, is an inspiring project that not only safeguards these invaluable pieces of history but also highlights the importance of visual media as a tool for cultural preservation. By rescuing these images from obscurity, the project gives voice to a generation of photographers whose work captured the style, humor, and aspirations of everyday Lagosians. This exhibition is a powerful reminder of the role that photography plays in documenting and shaping our collective memory, making it a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of art, history, and cultural identity.

Autograph London’s partnership with the Lagos Studio Archives is more than an exhibition—it’s a call to action for the art world to recognize and preserve the visual histories that define our cultural heritage. This show is an opportunity to experience the timeless beauty of Lagos through the lens of those who lived it, offering a glimpse into a world where every photograph tells a story worth preserving for generations to come.