Abayomi Shogbade photography interrogates humans, spirits, nature

Abayomi Shogbade’s “Whispers of the Tide” is a photography project that reflects a cultural landscape where the divine is interwoven with everyday life. The narratives of juju and voodoo illustrate how spirituality permeates the fabric of African existence. While direct manifestations of juju may elude photographic capture, their essence endures through oral traditions and personal stories. This interplay between the spiritual and the personal is a major theme in Abayomi’s “Whispers of the Tide,” particularly through the concept of masquerading, where individuals assume god-like status by wearing masks.

In this project, Abayomi’s muse, Ericmoore Emezuru, poses bare-chested on a beach, holding a wooden mask. The project tells a cohesive story through four pictures– beginning with man holding the mask, pushing into man wearing mask, then man transforming into what the mask represents. Man transcending flesh into idea, man identifying with maker, man becoming maker. These are near philosophical concepts that
Abayomi dissects in his works.

Another notable project, titled “Kinship,” features a young Black man with a buffalo skull, probing the intricate relationship between humans and nature. Kinship underscores the often fraught symbiosis between humanity and the animal kingdom, urging viewers to reflect on their role within this interconnected web of life.

Humanity’s collective decisions as a species define what we call the anthropocene— an age where we directly influence the climate and environment.

Whilst the presence of humans played a role in natural balance during the stone age where it was justifiable for man to kill animal and wear their skins for warmth.

The argument dissolves under the auspice of an age of consumerism. How many more alligators need to die for us to craft designer bags and show status? How many more elephant tusks need to be harvested? How many more Sturgeons need to be whisked from water to complete the ultimate dining experiences?

In Abayomi’s Kinship project, his subject poses with the skull of an endangered species, and it comes across as commentary of man destroying its relatives. Man’s effect on the environment in the form of plastics, fracking, ecosystem disruption, natural climate is as important a discussion to have as any. For a species that believes we borrow the world from the next generation, it would seem we are misusing it.

Through his varied projects, Abayomi Shogbade continues to explore Nigerian culture. His originality and vision resonate powerfully, and his work has been showcased at several prestigious venues, including the Cipriarte Venezia Gallery in Venice, the Andalukova Gallery in Dubai, The Holy Art Gallery in London, and the SWISSARTEXPO in Zurich—all in 2024.

In a world where conversations about identity, spirituality, and culture are increasingly vital, Abayomi’s art invites viewers into an enriching dialogue that transcends borders. His work not only celebrates African heritage but also encourages a broader understanding of spirituality, community, and the human experience, reminding us that art is, at its heart, a conversation about what it means to be human.