This Is What Happens When You Strip Lagos of Its Vibrant Color
In color, the city heightens the senses; but in black, white and gray, it offers him endless narratives. His photographs are supported by prose often written "spur of the moment" directly from his "stream of consciousness." Without formal training in the field of photography, Logor teaches himself on the job as he produces his work.
Where Nigeria's most populous city is frenetic, dynamic, and home to a kaleidoscope of jarring colors, Oluwamuyiwa asks his viewer to connect with it through lines, patterns, forms and portraits. "It's a question, 'What if we tried this?' With a very specific curation of lines, patterns, forms," he ponders. "If you reduce the colors, will you be able to see the lines and forms and appreciate the patterns?"
Oluwamuyiwa wants to spark new conversations, shock and inspire through his work. "How can I observe this human carnival around me and take away from it and turn it back to the world? I want to use myself as a conduit between observing the world and responding the world with my profession," he says. "That's my philosophy."
His "pseudo-curriculum" is the work of famous street photographers: Robert Frank, Garry Winogrand and Eugene Atget. He sees Lagos like they surveyed New York City and Paris.
Oluwamuyiwa says he's armed with a social media account, a DSLR camera, and a website he's using to create an archive he hopes will culminate in 10 years. It will serve as a way to track his city's ever changing make-up. It's very evident the longevity he seeks is possible as people resonate with his work. It's been on display in his city's Rele Gallery, Omenka Gallery, photo festivals, and Open Range Exhibition. Abroad, he's been featured in the Beaux Arts Festival; cities like Cape Town, London and Hamburg. Oluwamuyiwa has his sights set on showing in museums in the U.S. and other African nations like Mali's photo festival. Already having filled a couple hard drives full of photography, he will surely conquer "every photography conversation in the world."
To answer his question, Lagos does not lose its energy when one tones down its color. I would argue it is further amplified.
Take a look at a selection of Logor Oluwamuyiwa's photos from his Monochrome Lagos project below.
