On November 15, the American photographer, Reed Davis, will be in Lagos for a book and art exhibition at Nahous. It is his debut show in Nigeria’s commercial city and Africa’s cultural melting pot. Themed Textures of Humanity, it is an artistic reflection on a decade-long journey through Africa, documenting crafts, people, designers, and communities from Lagos to Nairobi to Marrakech. The exhibition, said the agency, Bradley Joe PR, would be accompanied by a private dinner and public showcase of his works.
In his Artist Statement, David said Textures of Humanity is not a lesson or a lecture, rather: “It’s a conversation. This project grew over nearly 10 years across West, East, North, and Southern Africa, where I was welcomed into homes, studios, and everyday rituals. What I found wasn’t about difference, but about rhythm —how people shape their surroundings with care, color, and spirit.” According to him, he has always been drawn to the quiet moments between gestures — the pause before a smile, the light on a handmade wall, the texture of fabric shaped by time. Also, “these are fragments of human experience that often go unseen, yet they hold the deepest truth about who we are.”
Texture of Humanity is not about showing Africa through his eyes also, but “about honouring the people and places that allowed me to see in new ways. It’s a shared story —a reminder that beauty exists not in perfection, but in presence.”
It reads like a quiet revolution — intimate, raw, and deeply human at the same time, Davis explained, adding, “Textures of Humanity is about honesty — about seeing people and places for what they truly are. I didn’t want to create a version of Africa through my eyes; I wanted to listen, observe, and let the story unfold naturally. What anchors the work is respect — for the people who opened their doors, for the culture that welcomed me in, and for the beauty in everyday life.”
He doesn’t see it as perfection, too, but “it’s about presence. It’s also been a humbling experience — a reminder of how much I’ve learned and how much there always is to learn.”
Of course, he has learned a few things about collaborating with African artists and artisans in the area of authorship and generosity. He noted, “It’s really been a cultural exchange. I’ve learned a lot from seeing how people work — what they value, how they think, and what feels important to them. There’s a real generosity in the way many artists share ideas and create together — it’s not about ownership, it’s about contribution. At the same time, they’ve learned a bit about how I see things and where I come from. It’s a back-and-forth that keeps growing. Every collaboration teaches me something new, and I’m always humbled and grateful for the experience.”
Davis has worked with nearly every major brand in America. What Africa gives him that commerce never did in America is unbelievable. He conferred on Bradley Joe PR that “the more I see and experience, the more I bring to a situation as a photographer.” Above all, “working in America taught me a certain structure and how to think about the consumer, but Africa offers something completely different. It’s not about selling an idea — it’s about understanding one. There’s a deeper exchange happening. It’s been interesting to see what translates across cultures and how people respond to images, ideas, and emotion in their own ways. This only deepens my understanding of light, concept, and human connection.”
Also a Creative Director, Davis’ work bridges fine art, fashion, and cultural storytelling. Known for his refined use of natural light and sensitivity to texture, he has, over the years, built a career photographing subjects that reveal beauty in honesty and simplicity. His editorial and commercial work has appeared in international publications and campaigns, while his personal projects explore human connection and everyday artistry across continents.
He divides his time between New York and Africa, continuing to photograph, mentor young artists, and expand his storytelling through design, food, and culture. His portfolio include
Textures of Humanity — Book & Exhibition, Nahous, Lagos (2025), a collaborations with Chef Tolu Eros, Danskin, IAMISIGO, Itan Test Kitchen, JZO, KikoRomeo, Nike Davies-Okundaye, Sbyumie, and Vonne Interiors Design. He has also Featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Bon Appétit, Fit Pregnancy, Food & Wine, GQ, House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living, Men’s Journal, Shape Magazine, and Vogue.
Also, he has been commissioned for Bloomingdale’s, Campbell’s Soup, Coach, Danskin, Dean & Deluca, Hanes, Magnolia, Macy’s, Martha Stewart Living, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Perigold, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Tiffany & Co., Wayfair, and Williams Sonoma. Davis is eager to welcome members of the art fraternity in Lagos to the spectacle offered by Texture of Humanity at Nahous.
