Medina Dugger's Ode to JD Okhai Ojeikere Brings Striking New Life To Traditional Nigerian Hairstyles
The late Johnson Donatus Aihumekeokhai Ojeikere, otherwise known as J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere, was not only the forerunning visionary of the practice of documentary photography in Nigeria; he pioneered the slow-evolving representation of traditional African hair through his photography. Most notably known for his collection entitled "Hairstyles," a 1000 + series of photos recording the true essence of Nigerian women's hair, Ojeikere's deeply rooted attachment to his Nigerian heritage reigned strongly in the collection's profound and intimate highlight of traditional Nigerian hairstyles and feminity.
Medina Dugger — California-born, and Lagos-based — the rising photographer paid high homage to the late Ojeikere's iconic collection with an eye-popping, riveting and modernized portrayal of the Nigerian woman. Duggar described her collection, entitled "Chroma," as "an on-going series which celebrates women’s hairstyles in Lagos, Nigeria through a fanciful, contemporary lens. The images are inspired by hair color trends in Lagos and by the late Nigerian photographer J.D. Okhai Ojeikere, who photographed over a thousand different hair styles in his lifetime." - Source
The stunningly colorful tribute to Ojeikere reminds us of his infinite influence and finite legacy on contemporary African art — particularly in Nigeria, a growing leader in that industry. Dugger epitomizes the result of Ojeikere's generational influence and foundation setting.
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