"Cocktail," by Namsa Leuba

I can remember, back in 2010, taking a cab to the Civic Center on Victoria Island where I toured one small room with a handful of photos fixed to the walls and a smattering of vendors on hand selling jewelry, books and crafts. There were a few localebrities on hand, like Ade Bantu, but not much fuss apart from that.

Fast forward to 2014 and LagosPhoto has grown in size, scope and international influence. This year the festival runs from October 25 - November 26 and includes exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions, and "large scale outdoor prints displayed throughout the city with the aim of reclaiming public spaces and engaging the general public with multifaceted stories of Africa."

I look forward to checking it out. Visit LagosPhoto on Facebook for more info and view Okayplayer's Top 10 LagosPhotos. --AL.

Elizabeth's Daughter: In Words and Pictures is a volume of essays and photos from my memoir about a would-be nun in post-war Nigeria who became my mother, and my experiences as her daughter, an artist, and Nigerian-American woman. 

Proceeds from sales of the essay collection will be used toward a broader project incorporating video and photography. Consider making a donation today to help me realize this vision. 

DONATE: http://bit.ly/elizabethsdaughter

(Pictured here, L-R: My mother Elizabeth and her friend Philomena as Girl Guides)

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today is the grand finale and exhibition of the etisalat amateur photography competition, 'lagos under the prism,' part of the lagos photo event series co-sponsored by the african artists' foundation. the show starts @ 4PM @ the civic centre in victoria island.

i'm super excited, stopped by the aaf last weekend to see the permanent exhibit that features some really great visual art and the best layout i've seen anywhere (the building itself is a work of art). they're located on raymond njoku street in ikoyi and the door's always open, even though the day i went there was little more in the way of a curator than a guy sleeping on the couch in the lounge. --AL.

"Photography is the fastest growing medium of creative expression today and in Lagos, the fastest growing mega city in Africa, virtually everyone with a camera or a camera phone is taking pictures. Participants were required to capture images that interpreted their view of the theme--'Lagos Under the Prism.' Be inspired."

thanks to justice philomena etim for the photo. i really dig the vibe. --AL.

port harcourt reminds me of a great big industrial park interrupted by the occasional house or market. it's not nearly as green or beautiful as uyo. in fact, not beautiful at all. but there is something intriguing in its geometry.

i have had to force myself to start using my camera. as the saying goes, a picture is worth 1000 words.

June 16, 2009

Having lived through a rigged election in the USofA, virtually no political scandal sounds far-fetched to me anymore -- especially Iran's highly disputed democratic election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over Mir Hossein Mousavi. As they say: no justice, no peace.

More pictures @ The Boston Globe