Mma Ofong Iwuood

2023
Photography installation- Lace fabric, 6 digital Photographic prints
505.968 X 262.128 cm

Mme Ofong Iwuood is a series of self-portraits that activate the Ofong Iwuood bust sculpture. These sculptures examine not only the history of bust sculptures but also take Africa as a departure point of considering what bust portrait could be. For this work, I draw from the iconic photographs of Nigerian photographer J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere who documented Nigerian women’s hairstyles from the 1960s. His images of unique hairstyles emerged in response to the proliferation of high-rise colonial architecture in Lagos during Africa’s modernization. Exploring the relationship between hair, architecture, and colonial history. The evidence of everyday repurposed materials incorporated into the sculptures such as lace fabric refers to a global trade and exchange of which Africa has been a participant. The images are performed as inspired by contrived studio portraiture seen in Modern African photography from the 60s.