J.D. Okhai Ojeikere is recognized as the greatest 20th-century African photographer. He earned international acclaim through his Hairstyle series, a personal project featuring unique hairstyles. The project started in 1968 and grew to encompass 1,000 photographs spanning 40 years. Ojeikere elevates hair design from fashion to a fine art form by celebrating its intricate patterns, sculptural qualities, and abstraction. In contrast to the variety of complex hairstyles represented, Ojeikere’s photography uses a consistent and understated visual language. Some designs are paraded on social occasions or celebrations such as weddings or birthdays, while other styles are worn regularly. Hairstyles can reflect social status, and royalty may have unique family hairstyles passed down through generations. To Ojeikere, the hairstyles celebrate uniqueness and reflect the diversity of cultural traditions within Nigeria.
Intricate Afro Hairstyles: Photographer Documented Unique Hairstyles In Nigeria During The 1960s And 1970s
