New Photography 2023 at MoMA
Logo Oluwamuyiwa, Oil Wonders II, from “Monochrome Lagos,” 2018.
Inkjet print. 36 x 24 inches. Courtesy of the artist.
© Logo Oluwamuyiwa
Written and Photo Edited by Wenjie (Demi) Zhao
Copy Edited by Kee’nan Haggen
New Photography 2023, the latest exhibition from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), is an electrifying glimpse into Lagos, Nigeria's teeming port city's spatial, social, and historical undercurrents. This show, from May 28 through September 16, marks a triumphant return for MoMA’s acclaimed New Photography series as a gallery presentation after a two-year hiatus.
In a first for MoMA, the exhibition combines the works of seven living West African photographers, offering a unique opportunity for the audience to engage with the contemporary art scene from this part of the globe. The photographers featured are Kelani Abass, Akinbode Akinbiyi, Yagazie Emezi, Amanda Iheme, Abraham Oghobase, Karl Ohiri, and Logo Oluwamuyiwa, each representing various stages of their careers yet united in their critical use of photographic forms and their ties to Lagos.
Abraham Oghobase, Untitled 01, from “Constructed Realities” installation, 2019–2022. 10 pieces of printed silk chiffon layered on inkjet prints. 25 1⁄2 x 21 1⁄2 inches. Courtesy of the artist.
© Abraham Oghobase
Karl Ohiri, Untitled, from “The Archive of Becoming,” 2015–ongoing. Inkjet print. 8 x 10 inches. Courtesy of the artist.
© Karl Ohiri
Lagos’s vibrant, pulsating city is the exhibition's heart, its spirit seeping into each frame and vignette. The artists vividly portray the city's throbbing life and sociopolitical landscape, using the “photograph as document” to record and interpret their surroundings. From scenes of everyday life to deeply personal accounts amidst political action, each photograph serves as a testament to Lagos’ multifaceted existence.
The artists render new visual expressions of Lagos, not just through formal experimentation and poetic compositions but by challenging the traditional role of photography. Their work transcends the boundaries of the medium, evolving beyond simple documentation to become a tool for communication and shared experience.
Amanda Iheme, Old Secretariat – Stagnation – 12, from “The Way of Life,” 2018. Inkjet print. 40 x 60 inches. Courtesy of the artist.
© Amanda Iheme
Kelani Abass, Unfolding Layers 6, from “Casing History,” 2021. Letterpress type-case and digital print. 19 11/16 x 23 5⁄8 x 1 9/16. Courtesy of the artist.
© Kelani Abass
As the show’s curator, Onabanjo, eloquently says, “In a world where global systems of relation are a given, photographic images occupy a crucial position. No longer is the photograph solely a means of recording our surroundings; it has become a central prism through which lived experience is made and shared.” This sentiment resonates strongly throughout the exhibition, inviting visitors to engage with the depicted realities in an intimate and universal way.
New Photography 2023 marks a crucial departure point in MoMA’s exhibition history. It presents a compelling exploration of photography’s role in the digital age, pushing boundaries to accommodate more nuanced forms of perception and encounter. With this exhibition, the seven featured artists plumb the depths of the photographic medium, delving into its spatial, social, and historical undercurrents to challenge preconceptions, provoke thought, and cultivate empathy.
Yagazie Emezi, Untitled, from “#EndSARS Protests,” 2020. Inkjet print. 16 x 20 inches. Courtesy of the artist and Richard Taittinger Gallery, NY.
© Yagazie Emezi
New Photography 2023 is more than an exhibition—it’s an immersive journey into Lagos’ heart and soul, made possible by the evocative work of its talented photographic artists. Their works not only reflect the diverse realities of Lagos but also exemplify the transformative power of the photograph as a tool for communication and shared experience. If this inaugural show is any indication, MoMA’s upcoming global art scene exhibitions promise to be equally groundbreaking and inspirational.
Akinbode Akinbiyi, Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos, from the series “Sea Never Dry,” 2006.
Inkjet print. 23 5⁄8 x 23 5⁄8 inches. Courtesy of the artist.
© Akinbode Akinbiyi
For more information, visit MoMA’s website.
