NaijaGEMs Comes to Lagos
by Russell Brooks
T
his year’s 9th edition of the
Lagos Photo Festival drew
22 artists from 18 countries
under the theme, “Time Has
Gone.” In addition, for the first time,
the festival was female-dominated
featuring four female curators: Eva
Barois De Caevel, Wunika Mukan,
Charlotte Langhorst, and Valentine
Umansky whose intent was to
investigate the diversity that time
encompasses.
The Festival, which ran from October
27 through November 15, was
organized by the African Artists
Foundation and sponsored by the Mike
Adenuga Centre, National Geographic,
U.S. Consulate in Lagos, British Council,
and the Ford Foundation.
The Lagos Photo Festival is known
as a purveyor of the development
and education of contemporary
photography in Africa through its
mentorships and cross-cultural
collaborations with indigenous and
international artists. Lagos Photo takes
pride in being the first international
arts festival of photography in Nigeria.
The U.S. Consulate was pleased to be
able to include its NaijaGEMs exhibition
in the Festival. The collection of 50
photographs representing some of
Nigeria’s most beautiful scenery
was the product of an online contest
sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in
Abuja.
The contest itself was born out of a
notion advanced by Ambassador Stuart
Symington, after he visited all 36 states
in Nigeria. He said more Nigerians
should have the same opportunity as he
to view the natural beauty of Nigeria,
its waterfalls, rock formations, fauna,
and flora. He said anyone who does is
certain to say “Wow.” NaijaGEMs gave
Nigerian photographers the chance to
offer their impressions of Nigeria and
share them with their countrymen.
Festival convener,
Azu Nwagbogu, and
Charlotte Langhorst look
on while PAO, Russell
Brooks delivers remarks
Lagos Public Affairs Officer Russell
Brooks highlighted the U.S. Mission’s
support for creative artistic expression
and key cultural institutions in Nigeria
during the Festival’s soft opening. He
also suggested NaijaGEMs would help
change the narrative about Nigeria by
exposing the wonders of the country
and its people.
NaijaGEMs was first exhibited in
Abuja in July at Thought Pyramid. The
winners were presented their prizes
and the top 50 photos remained on
display in the gallery for a week.
Assistant Director
of African Artists’
Foundation, Charlotte
Langhorst addresses
the audience
It was always the intention of the U.S.
Mission to share the photos as widely
as possible and sought avenues to
exhibit the collection in other parts of
the country. The Lagos Photo Festival
offered such an opportunity.
CROSSROADS | December 2018/January 2019
17