Yay! Nigerian Artist Ike Udé’s “Nollywood Portraits: A Radical Beauty” will be Exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Photography this Month

We are proud supporters of all things Nigerian and African and that is why this achievement by Nigerian artist, Ike Udé, caught our eye.

The Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) at Columbia College Chicago is planning a major exhibition and publication featuring work by Iké Udé, titled Nollywood Portraits: A Radical Beauty.

In his most recent project, Ike Udé, a Nigerian-American, New York-based artist, has created colorful, elegant portraits of high-profile members of the Nollywood film industry.

In October 2014, artist Iké Udé returned to his hometown of Lagos, Nigeria, after three decades away, and took photographs of 64 Nollywood personalities. He captured an impressive cross-section of the industry including renowned screen icon Genevieve Nnaji, veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, established actor/director Stephanie Linus, maverick filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, as well as the next generation of rising stars.

The portrait features everyone from Joke Silva, Osas Ajibade, Olu Jacob, OC Ukeje, Linda Ejiofor, Omoni Oboli, Cossy Orjiakor, Alexx Ekubo, Deyemi Okanlawon, Eku Edewor, Uti Nwachukwu, Monalisa Chinda, Daniel K. Daniel, Ireti Doyle, Tope Tedela, Gideon Okeke, Jim Iyke, Wole Ojo, Ozzy Agu, Julius Agwu, Charles Novia, Kehinde Bankole, Beverly Naya and more.

Alexx Ekubo

Taiwo Ajai-Lycett

Osas Ighodaro

Monalisa Chinda

Linda Ejiofor

Kunle Afolayan

Genevieve Nnaji

Eku Edewor

The objective of this project was to celebrate these African celebrities in the timeless, classic style the artist is known for.

The Nollywood Portraits: A Radical Beauty exhibition will run from Thursday, October 20 to Friday, December 23, 2016. Read more about the project on their kickstarter here.

Watch the trailer for the exhibition below.