• Chroma: An Ode to J.D. ’Okhai Ojeikere
  • Chroma: An Ode to J.D. ’Okhai Ojeikere
  • Chroma: An Ode to J.D. ’Okhai Ojeikere

ART + CULTURE: A vivid depiction of the art of Nigerian hair culture, captured through a contemporary lens by Medina Dugger

Created by Lagos-based photographer Medina Dugger, Chroma: An Ode to J.D. ’Okhai Ojeikere portrays women with elaborately sculpted hair, embellished with brightly coloured wools and extensions. The hairstyles were created by Ijeoma Christopher, who used braiding and threading techniques to recreate both traditional looks and their modernised counterparts.

“In this increasingly globalised and stylized world, Ojeikere’s archive is a reminder of the importance of maintaining visual records of past practices”

Medina Dugger

The series pays homage to Hairstyles, the revered series by the late Nigerian photographer J.D. ’Okhai Ojeikere. Taken over a 40-year period, his vast collection of photographs documented the hairstyles of African women in immense detail. Beautifully captured in black and white, his images were notable for approaching the hairstyles as complex art forms, shedding light on the intricate sculptural qualities of each style. “I enjoy the simplicity and strength of Ojeikere’s images and appreciate the role they play in recording an important part of history in a very personal way,” Dugger explains. Chroma: An Ode to J.D. ’Okhai Ojeikere carries this message into the present, by revisiting the hairstyles – and their modern variations – in rich and vibrant colour.

  • ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
  • ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
  • ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
  • ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
  • ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR