Nigeria-born-and-based photographer Lakin Ogunbanwo's special commission for the uptown French department store Galleries Lafayette is now on exhibit for the company's seasonal Africa Now event.
The exhibition is part of Lafayette's wide ranging spring season line-up of events, pop-ups, exhibitions and retail offerings, all in acknowledgement of the mighty creative zing of African arts and culture. Ogunbanwo's window display includes photographic installations and a film.
Ogunbanwo's project sees a cast of some of his favorite models - Uju Marshall, Toyin Oyeneye, Dami Oni. The photographer responds to Lafayette's theme with culture-inspired fabrics and objects like locally produced sponges, jerrycans, and wax prints - all graphic depictions of the aesthetical vibrancy of Lagos, and the larger continent, through the eyes of the photographer;
“It’s important to me to show a multifaceted Africa by speaking about my Africa,” Ogunbanwo says. “Drawing from the colors and vibrancy of my city serves as a metaphor for the continent, where many people, cultures and realities all mix and interweave to make one beautiful whole.”
The Africa Now Exhibition runs until 10 June 2017 at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France.
Creative Direction and Photography Lakin Ogunbanwo
Styling Oyinye Fafi Obi
Make-up Odiri
Models Uju Marshall, Toyin Oyeneye, Mannie Be, Gabriel Kas and Dami Oni
Production Funmbi Ogunbanwo
Film Direction Wale Davis and Lakin Ogunbanwo
Film Editing Kewa Oni, Seun Opabis
Assistants Bolaji and Uche
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