ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE-PROGRAM 2024: CHRISTOPHER NELSON OBUH

Im Rahmen unseres Artist-in-Residence-Programms 2024 begrüßen wir den talentierten Fotografen und bildenden Künstler Christopher Nelson Obuh aus Lagos, Nigeria. Christopher beschäftigt sich in seiner Arbeit mit wichtigen Themen wie Umwelt, sozialen Ungerechtigkeiten, Postkolonialismus und der Wirkung der Globalisierung auf den afrikanischen Kontinent. Zu Beginn konzentrierte er sich auf die lebendige Stadt Lagos, doch seine Neugier und sein Wunsch, Afrika umfassender zu verstehen, führten ihn zu zahlreichen Reisen auf dem Kontinent.

As part of our 2024 Artist-in-Residence program, we are pleased to welcome the talented photographer and visual artist Christopher Nelson Obuh from Lagos, Nigeria. In his work, Christopher explores important themes such as the environment, social injustices, postcolonialism, and the impact of globalization on the African continent. Initially focused on the vibrant city of Lagos, his curiosity and desire to understand Africa more comprehensively have led him to travel extensively across the continent.

His work has been featured in prominent art magazines such as Camera Austria, Critical Intervention, and Saraba Magazine. In 2019, he participated in a residency at Project Space Lagos, organized by the German-Nigerian artist and curator Emeka Udemba, and was selected as a finalist for the Access Bank ART X Prize. In 2020, he took part in the Corona Chronicles of Nigeria project, initiated by the Goethe-Institut, and his works are included in the digital archive of the University of Bournemouth, supported by the UK Art and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Christopher was nominated for the Joop Swart Masterclass in 2020 and selected for the Henrike Grohs Art Prize. In 2021, he curated the exhibition Moving Mountains Moving Oceans at the National Museum Lagos, alongside Dr. David Goss. In 2022, he was part of the exhibition In a Pot of Hot Soup at the Brunei Gallery, University of London. His work has also been featured in group exhibitions in cities such as Lagos, London, Munich, and Bamako.

His artistic journey led him to the Asiko Art School in Praia, Cape Verde, in 2022, and the same year, he produced a short film for the Goethe-Institut as part of the New Vision Reel Stories project. In 2023, he was a fellow at the South London Gallery, supported by the British Council, and participated in the exhibition Pilgrims to the Lakes: Lagos Peckham Repeat. His works are held in significant collections, including the University of Bournemouth, the US Embassy, and the Yunus Emre Centre in Abuja, Nigeria.

During his residency at Opera Village, Christopher will lead interactive workshops on topics such as media literacy, environmental awareness, and social justice, in collaboration with other artists and local partner organizations like the Centre de Développement Chorégraphique La Termitière and the Fasocheck Association. We are thrilled to have Christopher Nelson Obuh join us this year and look forward to the creative and inspiring contributions he will bring to our project.

This year´s Artist-in-Residence program is supported by