"I am constantly referencing my village. From there I expand to the world because it's from that source that I see the world," says Nigerian born Victor Ehikhamenor. The artist is considered one of the most important contemporary African artists to emerge from Nigeria.
"I am constantly referencing my village. From there I expand to the world because it's from that source that I see the world," says Nigerian born Victor Ehikhamenor. The artist is considered one of the most important contemporary African artists to emerge from Nigeria.
Courtesy Bret Rubin
A villager in Udomi-Uwessan, a small town in Edo State, southern Nigeria. Award-winning artist Victor Ehikhamenor shot the portraits. He wanted to document their lives before residents died and were superseded by a younger generation seeking cultural markers from the new world.
Before They Leave (2010) —
A villager in Udomi-Uwessan, a small town in Edo State, southern Nigeria. Award-winning artist Victor Ehikhamenor shot the portraits. He wanted to document their lives before residents died and were superseded by a younger generation seeking cultural markers from the new world.
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
The portraits are juxtaposed with his series American Invasion showing teenagers donning western clothing something he felt was bizarre, considering "there was only about maybe three or four people that have a TV in the village."
American Invasion (2009) —
The portraits are juxtaposed with his series American Invasion showing teenagers donning western clothing something he felt was bizarre, considering "there was only about maybe three or four people that have a TV in the village."
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
"It was kind of interesting to look at that cross referencing of cultures," says Ehikhamenor.<br />
Before They Leave —
"It was kind of interesting to look at that cross referencing of cultures," says Ehikhamenor.
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
The visual artist who lived in the US at that time, wanted to photograph Benin residents as a way of preserving their history "in an art form".
Before They Leave —
The visual artist who lived in the US at that time, wanted to photograph Benin residents as a way of preserving their history "in an art form".
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
"I realize that every time I travel back and visit my village, one person has died," he says. "A lot of them don't even have pictures so I decided just to do a portraiture of as many of them as I could titled before they leave."
Before They Leave —
"I realize that every time I travel back and visit my village, one person has died," he says. "A lot of them don't even have pictures so I decided just to do a portraiture of as many of them as I could titled before they leave."
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
The town stands just outside of Benin City, which once served as the seat of the old Benin Empire -- a kingdom dating back to the 11th century.
American Invasion —
The town stands just outside of Benin City, which once served as the seat of the old Benin Empire -- a kingdom dating back to the 11th century.
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
The city is revered by Nigerians who see it as the birthplace of the country's modern civilization.
American Invasion —
The city is revered by Nigerians who see it as the birthplace of the country's modern civilization.
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
"It's a documentation and freezing of memory for me," explains Ehikhamenor.
American Invasion —
"It's a documentation and freezing of memory for me," explains Ehikhamenor.
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
The artist's works are peppered with Nigeria's colonial past -- 1929 Girls of Aba Riot --conceptually recounts the "Women's War" a period in Nigeria's history where women in the provinces of Calabar and Owerri rioted against colonial rule.
1929 Girls of Aba Riot —
The artist's works are peppered with Nigeria's colonial past -- 1929 Girls of Aba Riot --conceptually recounts the "Women's War" a period in Nigeria's history where women in the provinces of Calabar and Owerri rioted against colonial rule.
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
'Oba Ovoramhen' is a large installation piece showcased at the 2016 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London. The artist's work is a representation of the invasion of the Benin Empire with its King Ovoramhen exiled to Calabar, southeastern Nigeria. "This is a representation of that King being sent to exile," says Ehikhamenor. "I'm referencing politics, colonialism and human injustice."
Oba Ovoramhen: Before And After (2014-16) —
'Oba Ovoramhen' is a large installation piece showcased at the 2016 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London. The artist's work is a representation of the invasion of the Benin Empire with its King Ovoramhen exiled to Calabar, southeastern Nigeria. "This is a representation of that King being sent to exile," says Ehikhamenor. "I'm referencing politics, colonialism and human injustice."
Courtesy Gallery of African Art
At Dak'Art 2016 his colossal installation The Prayer Room was a much talked about main feature of the Biennale. <br />
The Prayer Room from 2016 Dak'art Biennale —
At Dak'Art 2016 his colossal installation The Prayer Room was a much talked about main feature of the Biennale.
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
He believes a lack of formal art education in Nigeria is holding the country back. "How do we create a solid future for the next generation to stand on?" asks Ehikhamenor. "If you're not thinking about that then you are closing the door."
The Prayer Room —
He believes a lack of formal art education in Nigeria is holding the country back. "How do we create a solid future for the next generation to stand on?" asks Ehikhamenor. "If you're not thinking about that then you are closing the door."
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
"Creativity is the greatest job provider in our country at the moment," he says. "We have to figure out a way to harness this and make sure we don't lose that traction and we don't have people being discouraged."
Child Of The Sky —
"Creativity is the greatest job provider in our country at the moment," he says. "We have to figure out a way to harness this and make sure we don't lose that traction and we don't have people being discouraged."
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor
Next year, he hopes to set up a space in Lagos, Nigeria to mentor young artists. Through greater art awareness, he hopes to inspire younger generations to start using art as way of documenting lived experiences.
The Wealth of Nations —
Next year, he hopes to set up a space in Lagos, Nigeria to mentor young artists. Through greater art awareness, he hopes to inspire younger generations to start using art as way of documenting lived experiences.
Courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor