“PORTRAITS” by Lakin Ogunbanwo Opens at Rooke & Van Wyk

Nigerian born multitalented artist and photographer, Lakin Ogunbanwo will from the 20^th November till the 21^st December, 2013 light up South Africa with his solo art exhibition tagged - ‘Portraits’.

The exhibition will take place at Rooke & Van Wyk, a gallery located at Unit 21 Frost Street Lofts, Braamfontein Werf, 2000 Johannesburg, Gauteng.

Portrait photography by local African photographers has been practised in West Africa since the late 1800’s, documenting the early urban modern urban elites through to post-independence 1960s and 1970s. While the subjects then enacted an urgent sense of agency by acting out the poses of international black music and movie stars in the studios, it’s a lot different in the 21^st century.

 The impact of technology on contemporary culture and specifically photography in Africa is rendered most visible by internet access and mobile telephony. Presently, there is an acceleration of image making exploring and excavating technology, political, economic and social archaeologies.

It is within this sketch that Lakin Ogunbanwo is forging a striking visual vocabulary through making portraits. In this collection, Lakin constructs singular images, reconfiguring the human figure and challenging some preconceived ideas of portraiture, of Lagosians, of Nigerians, of Africans.

“Portraits” therefore, raises many questions – Who are these people? Why are they being portrayed? What is the relationship between them and the photographer? And are these ‘African’ portraits?

His artistic zest and prowess earned him a top spot on CNN’s profile of ‘Africa’s Most Exciting New Photographers’. In the story, Lakin was referred to as a versatile artist that showcases visually provocative imagery of fashion culture in Nigeria.

As part of his artistic renaissance, Lakin Ogunbanwo will in December 2013, in Lagos showcase a large exhibition of his latest works.