Karl Ohiri, a British-Nigerian artist, embarked on a mission during a trip to Lagos in 2015. He noticed a disturbing trend where long-standing photography studios in the city were discarding their archives of negatives as they closed down or relocated. This loss of film negatives, a vital part of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, prompted Ohiri to take action.
Thus, the Lagos Studio Archives project was born. Ohiri began acquiring endangered negatives from local photographers to preserve the history and visual narratives captured in these images. The project’s main goal is to collect, preserve, and present the imagery of a generation of photographers who documented the style, humor, and aspirations of everyday Lagosians.
The initiative sheds light on hidden narratives in one of Africa’s largest cities, aiming to expand dialogues around West African photography, culture, and diaspora legacies. Ohiri, along with Finnish-British artist Riikka Kassinen, established the archive in 2016. The collection has been showcased internationally at venues like the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the South London Gallery.
The archive houses thousands of images saved from over twenty studios, providing a glimpse into the rich history, culture, and daily life of Nigeria’s former capital. Ohiri and Kassinen emphasize the importance of preserving photographic archives to shape collective identity and deepen understanding of heritage and culture.
Their individual practices explore the relationship between contemporary society and heritage, resulting in distinct series and themes within the archive. One such initiative, the “Archive of Becoming,” focuses on deteriorated negatives that produce psychedelic colors and unique visual effects due to environmental factors.
Another aspect of the project highlights Abi Morocco Photos, a studio that operated from the 1970s to 2006, capturing fashionable portraits of Lagosians. The archive serves as a bridge between art and social activism, encouraging collective responsibility in preserving heritage and culture.
Through Instagram updates, exhibitions, and a forthcoming book on Abi Morocco Photos, the Lagos Studio Archives project continues to celebrate and safeguard Nigeria’s visual history. The initiative underscores the beauty in decay and the importance of preserving cultural heritage for present and future generations.
