Akinbode Akinbiyi, a photographer whose work is imbued with a nomadic spirit, embarks on visual journeys through cities such as Berlin, Lagos, and Johannesburg, capturing with precision the complex social tapestry that unfolds within their bustling streets. His compelling series "Lagos: All Roads," partially showcased in this edition, paints a vibrant picture of Lagos, Africa's most populous city. It reveals the city's teeming urban landscape and the multifaceted vibrancy of its people.
Akinbiyi, who spent his early years between London and Lagos and has made Berlin his home for over twenty-five years, embarks on a photographic odyssey to recapture the "fragments of lost innocence" that echo his youth in Lagos.
Through his lens, this series explores the deep-rooted connection humans share with the coastline—a delicate liminal space where land meets sea. Akinbiyi's narrative weaves a tapestry of longing for our fundamental beginnings, for the imprints left by centuries of sea voyages that embarked in pursuit of new lands for conquest and colonization. His work reflects on our shared and personal histories with water, recognizing it as an essential source of life and a channel for the historic expeditions and encounters that have shaped our world.
Through "Lagos: All Roads," Akinbiyi not only documents the city's external rhythms but also invites us to contemplate our intrinsic ties to the natural world, drawing attention to the poignant interplay between humanity and the elemental force of water.
