Nnena Okore's Of Earth...barks and topography

Artist and art teacher Nnena Okore opened her solo exhibition Of Earth...barks and topography at the Goethe Institut,

Victoria Island on Saturday. It explores the link between the earth and environment, a call to examining how humans treat the environment. Using a technique derived from the traditional papier mache, Okore weaves newspapers, starch, glue, twigs, ropes and clay to create "biomorphic forms" which leave some curiousity in me. I think I need to go back and see again to make better sense of it.

Warming up 2

Like the advert for the World Cup says: We can't wait!

Warming up

The World Cup comes up in Africa next year and many young footballers would be hoping to be part of the various African national teams to participate at the fiesta. I have been chosen among a select group of African journalists called the All Stars that will be trained by World Press Photo and Freevovice.nl to cover the tournament in South Africa next June.

Skater boy

I tried to capture his face in this shot.

Street skating

Zigzag skating on busy roads is not a common sight in Lagos. But this guy really had great confidence going as he moved without fear in traffic on Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, one evening recently.

Lines in the night sky

Trying my hands on some abstract compositions of late. Does this make sense?, I ask myself. I don't know, only that it feels good to try.

A jumble of colours

Tried a short at a moving yellow bus but the shaking of the vehicle in which I rode in brought out the result that you see in today's post, a jumble of colours!

Gangan drummers

Drummers at a traditional Yoruba wedding ceremony. The drums are an intricate part of Yoruba culture, they are used to speak to the community. I did a photo documentary about the beauty and intricacies of traditional Yoruba wedding and the role of the drums for a cultural blog Mali to Memphis. Please check it out here

The Union

Two friends of mine decide to become one as they take marriage vows in a court registry recently. It's a great thing when two become one. Wishing them happy married life! 

Evening papers 2

This fellow tried to dodge my shot by covering his face with the papers. Today June 12 is when we remember Nigeria's freest and fairest ever elections of 1993 which was won by MKO Abiola . In the western states of Nigeria it is usually a public holiday. 

Evening papers

A shot of vendors selling evening papers in crawling traffic after work at Alausa. The headline of this paper exclaims: Police detain 4 cows!

Fin Bank

Fin Bank has changed its name a couple of times over the last five years. It used to be called the IMB Bank before it became First Inland and now Fin Bank. One thing remains constant though, the blue glass walls that many locals believe creates an aura that attracts the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean overflows its banks at the Bar Beach close to this building but seems to have been well checked lately by the concrete boulders erected at its shores.

Traffic lights

All motorists come to a stop at a junction as the seconds tick down to the green light. 

Horsing around

The last in my Bar Beach series, a horse rider at the beach. Fun seekers pay token amounts to ride on horse back at most beach resorts in Lagos.

Ice cream time

Kids purchasing ice cream from a vendor at the Bar Beach.

Yoghurt vendor

Still from my Bar Beach series, a yoghurt vendor walks across my shot

Family fun time

At the Bar Beach, Victoria Island, a couple of days ago I spied this couple with child, happy and united, taking a stroll on the embankment. 

Fela lives!

This image of Seun Kuti with the tattoo FELA LIVES on his back (a reference to his father) appears in TELL Magazine's Lensview section this week. Made the image at his concert in Accra in February.