Medeyonmi Akran’s work is a quiet revolution, a blend of art and advocacy that speaks in whispers but resonates deeply. Her projects, ‘Eyes That See’ and ‘Culture!!! Brides From The East (Nigeria)’, are not just collections of images or stories; they are windows into worlds often overlooked, rendered with a sensitivity that feels both personal and universal. Akran, who is partially blind, approaches sight not as a given but as a layered, complex experience—one that transcends the physical and delves into the emotional, the cultural, the unseen.
In ‘Eyes That See’, she explores this idea through a series of photographs that are less about what is visible and more about what is felt. Aesthetically, ‘Eyes That See’ presents different portraits of close-up eye profiles of multiple subjects, and then these images are juxtaposed on one another to create a new work of art. Harsh, aggressive, yet disarming and haunting. The concept behind this creates a fusion of gazes, becoming a metaphor for the multiplicity of human experience. It’s a reminder that not all who look truly see, and that vision, for many, is a matter of perception, connection, and resilience. The project is deeply personal, yet it opens up to include the stories of others who navigate the world differently. It’s an invitation to consider how we see—and how we might see more deeply, more inclusively.
In ‘Culture!!! Brides From The East (Nigeria)’, Akran shifts focus but retains that same depth of vision. Here, she celebrates the vibrant traditions of Eastern Nigeria, capturing brides from the Igbo, Benin, Calabar, and Rivers communities in all their regal splendor. The portraits within this project are stylised– Medeyonmi used photoshop techniques to create a swirl effect on the bodies representing an oil painting. These are not just portraits; they are tributes to heritage, to the stories carried in the folds of fabric and the weight of jewelry. Akran’s post-production work gives the images a timeless quality, as if these brides exist both in the present and in some eternal, artistic realm. The series is a love letter to cultural diversity, a reminder that beauty thrives in tradition and that art can be a bridge between the past and the present.
Medeyonmi Akran’s journey—from studying mass communication to advocating for digital accessibility and disability inclusion—has shaped her artistic voice. She is both an artist and a storyteller, one who uses her craft to challenge perceptions and inspire change. Her work has found homes in galleries across the globe, from the intimate walls of Madeke Gallery in the UK to the sunlit halls of Casa Del Arte in Spain, from the sleek spaces of Thomson Gallery in Switzerland to the vibrant corners of Nicoleta Gallery in Germany. Each exhibition has been a step toward broadening the conversation about inclusion and perception. “Exhibiting my work,” Akran once remarked, “is like opening a door to a room where people can see the world through my eyes—eyes that don’t just look, but feel, connect, and understand.”
Her work is a testament to the power of art to transform obstacles into opportunities, to turn lived experiences into narratives that resonate far beyond the individual. Through her lens, the world becomes a richer, more inclusive place—one where the unseen is seen, and the overlooked is celebrated. Akran’s exhibitions are not just displays of art; they are invitations to step into another’s reality, to see the beauty in what is often hidden, and to find connection in the most unexpected places.
