Untitled, HG 423-04
Photograph
2004 (photographed), 2012 (printed)
2004 (photographed), 2012 (printed)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Photographer J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere (1930-2014) was born in the village of Ovbiomu-Emai in Southwest Nigeria. He began to document Nigerian culture in 1967 while part of the arts council, which was established following the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960.
His photographs include examples of the elaborate headties traditionally worn by Nigerian women, known as ‘gele’. The standardised rear view format of Ojeikere’s photographs of gele link them to his larger series of modern and traditional Nigerian hairstyles photographed in the same way. Both series focus on the artistry of the forms created, which Ojeikere referred to as ‘sculptures for a day’.
Gele are traditionally tied at the back using asọ-oke; a stiff, hand woven cloth which can be manipulated to stand away from the head, creating dramatic shapes. The head wraps originate from the Yoruba people in Southwest Nigeria. They are now largely worn for ceremonial occasions. Yoruba culture places great emphasis on the head and both gele and hairstyling became ways to convey social status.
The V&A acquired eight photographs by J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere documenting hairstyles and headties as part of the Staying Power project. Staying Power is a five year partnership between the V&A and Black Cultural Archives. The project aims to explore black British experience from the 1950s to the 1990s through photographs acquired by the V&A and oral histories conducted by Black Cultural Archives.
His photographs include examples of the elaborate headties traditionally worn by Nigerian women, known as ‘gele’. The standardised rear view format of Ojeikere’s photographs of gele link them to his larger series of modern and traditional Nigerian hairstyles photographed in the same way. Both series focus on the artistry of the forms created, which Ojeikere referred to as ‘sculptures for a day’.
Gele are traditionally tied at the back using asọ-oke; a stiff, hand woven cloth which can be manipulated to stand away from the head, creating dramatic shapes. The head wraps originate from the Yoruba people in Southwest Nigeria. They are now largely worn for ceremonial occasions. Yoruba culture places great emphasis on the head and both gele and hairstyling became ways to convey social status.
The V&A acquired eight photographs by J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere documenting hairstyles and headties as part of the Staying Power project. Staying Power is a five year partnership between the V&A and Black Cultural Archives. The project aims to explore black British experience from the 1950s to the 1990s through photographs acquired by the V&A and oral histories conducted by Black Cultural Archives.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Titles |
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Materials and techniques | Gelatin silver print |
Brief description | Photograph by J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere, 'Untitled, HG 423-04', from the series Headties, gelatin silver print, Nigeria, 2004, printed 2012 |
Physical description | A black and white photograph of a black woman wearing an elaborate headtie seen from the back. The headtie is done with a silky patterned fabric and is wrapped to create a large, ruffled V shape pointing upwards from the head. The right side points higher than the left, extending the frame. The photograph is taken from the neck upwards against a plain white background. The woman wears a silver chain around her neck. |
Dimensions |
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Styles | |
Gallery label | Text label for the exhibition, 'Staying Power: Photographs of Black British Experience, 1950s-1990s
16 February – 24 May 2015
J.D. ’Okhai Ojeikere (1930 – 2014)
HD-849/75 (Abebe); HD-176/70 (Fro Fro);
HD-14/69 (Pineapple); HD-557/74 (Beri Beri)
From the series Hairstyles
1969 – 75
Untitled, HG 423-04; Untitled, HG-535-04;
Untitled, HG-457-04; Untitled, HG-689-05
From the series Headties
2004 – 5
In these photographs, Ojeikere documented traditional
and modern hairstyles and headties worn by Nigerian
women. He photographed his subjects using the same
rear view perspective, focusing on the intricate patterns
and shapes created by the hair and fabric. Ojeikere’s
photographs capture the artistry of the forms, which
he described as ‘sculptures for a day’.
Gelatin silver prints
Museum nos. E.227 to 234-2013(16/02/2015-24/05/2015) |
Credit line | Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund |
Object history | The V&A acquired this photograph as part of the Staying Power project. Staying Power is a five year partnership between the V&A and Black Cultural Archives. The project aims to explore black British experience from the 1950s to the 1990s through photographs acquired by the V&A and oral histories conducted by Black Cultural Archives. |
Production | This photograph was printed in Paris from the original negative, then sent to Nigeria for approval, then shipped to London. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Photographer J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere (1930-2014) was born in the village of Ovbiomu-Emai in Southwest Nigeria. He began to document Nigerian culture in 1967 while part of the arts council, which was established following the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960. His photographs include examples of the elaborate headties traditionally worn by Nigerian women, known as ‘gele’. The standardised rear view format of Ojeikere’s photographs of gele link them to his larger series of modern and traditional Nigerian hairstyles photographed in the same way. Both series focus on the artistry of the forms created, which Ojeikere referred to as ‘sculptures for a day’. Gele are traditionally tied at the back using asọ-oke; a stiff, hand woven cloth which can be manipulated to stand away from the head, creating dramatic shapes. The head wraps originate from the Yoruba people in Southwest Nigeria. They are now largely worn for ceremonial occasions. Yoruba culture places great emphasis on the head and both gele and hairstyling became ways to convey social status. The V&A acquired eight photographs by J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere documenting hairstyles and headties as part of the Staying Power project. Staying Power is a five year partnership between the V&A and Black Cultural Archives. The project aims to explore black British experience from the 1950s to the 1990s through photographs acquired by the V&A and oral histories conducted by Black Cultural Archives. |
Associated objects |
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Collection | |
Accession number | E.227-2013 |
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Record created | January 16, 2013 |
Record URL |
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