The 14th edition of the LagosPhoto festival is ongoing and will continue till December 31, 2023. First launched in 2010, the international photography festival is a month-long event that features exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions and large scale outdoor prints displayed throughout the city with the goal of reclaiming public spaces and engaging the general public with the diverse stories of Africa.
For the first time in its history, the festival is being held beyond Lagos, extending to Cotonou, Ouidah, and Porto-Novo in the Republic of Benin. This geographical expansion opens the doors to a wider audience and creates space for them to engage with the works of talented photographers and in doing so, prompting us to review our role in encouraging a culture that is founded on consumption.
This year’s theme, ‘Ground State – Fellowship Within the Uncanny’ brings together photographic works that explore the present moment and envisions the repair, restitution, and restoration of historical mysteries. A few of this year’s participants include: 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, Minne 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, Zora J Murff.
Photography as an art has always held the power of mystery and LagosPhoto seeks to make sense of this mystery and also establish a community for contemporary photography that unites both local and international artists through images that capture the individual experiences and identities from all over Africa. LagosPhoto aims to educate about photography as it is presented in the exploration of historical and contemporary issues, the sharing of cultural practices, and the promotion of social programs.
