Abebe, 1975. These images of Nigerian hairstyles were taken by world-renowned photographer J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere. He travelled the streets of 1960s Lagos with his Brownie D camera, capturing the intricately designed hairstyles of his fellow country people.
Abebe, 1975. These images of Nigerian hairstyles were taken by world-renowned photographer J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere. He travelled the streets of 1960s Lagos with his Brownie D camera, capturing the intricately designed hairstyles of his fellow country people.
Courtesy Gallery 51
Fro Fro, 1970. Photographer J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere popped up in offices, on the street and even at parties taking pictures of women's hairstyles, systematically shooting each style from three angles and noting down its name.
Fro Fro, 1970. Photographer J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere popped up in offices, on the street and even at parties taking pictures of women's hairstyles, systematically shooting each style from three angles and noting down its name.
Courtesy Gallery 51
Atiai, 1970. Ojeikere's work has been described as Modernist fashion photography which documents not only hair, but a nation undergoing immense change following post-colonization.
Atiai, 1970. Ojeikere's work has been described as Modernist fashion photography which documents not only hair, but a nation undergoing immense change following post-colonization.
Courtesy Gallery 51
Agaracha, 1974. The black and white images show how intricate the hairstyles are and showcase what are essentially works of art and architecture.
Agaracha, 1974. The black and white images show how intricate the hairstyles are and showcase what are essentially works of art and architecture.
Courtesy Gallery 51
Ife Bronze, 1972. Ojeikere got his first taste of photography in 1954 when he began working as a darkroom assistant. In 1959 he became a photographer for the Western Nigerian Broadcasting Services, and in 1963 he moved to Lagos.
Ife Bronze, 1972. Ojeikere got his first taste of photography in 1954 when he began working as a darkroom assistant. In 1959 he became a photographer for the Western Nigerian Broadcasting Services, and in 1963 he moved to Lagos.
Courtesy Gallery 51
Mkpuk Eba, 1974. Ojeikere began working on his Hairstyle series in the late 1960s after he joined the Nigerian Arts Council and began documenting the country's culture.
Mkpuk Eba, 1974. Ojeikere began working on his Hairstyle series in the late 1960s after he joined the Nigerian Arts Council and began documenting the country's culture.
Courtesy Gallery 51
Modern Suku, 1975. J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere's work made it much further than the streets of Lagos and has been shown at exhibitions all over the world.
Modern Suku, 1975. J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere's work made it much further than the streets of Lagos and has been shown at exhibitions all over the world.
Courtesy Gallery 51
Onile Gogoro of Akaba, 1975. The humble photographer passed away at the age of 83 in 2014, leaving behind around 1000 pictures of hairstyles alone.
Onile Gogoro of Akaba, 1975. The humble photographer passed away at the age of 83 in 2014, leaving behind around 1000 pictures of hairstyles alone.
Courtesy Gallery 51