A century of west African portrait photography – in pictures

The rich tradition of portrait photography in west Africa is explored in a new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In and Out of the Studio showcases over 80 images taken from the 1870s to 1970s, ranging from casual shots to formal portraits, and features some of the stars of west African photography such as JD ‘Okhai Ojeikere and Samuel Fosso. The exhibition runs 31 August to 3 January  In The Guardian

The installation seeks to expand our understanding of West African portrait photography by rendering the broad variety of these practices and aesthetics. It juxtaposes photographs, postcards, real photo postcards, and original negatives taken both inside and outside the studio by amateur and professional photographers active from Senegal to Cameroon and from Mali to Gabon.

Further details from the Museum website here