Photographer: J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere (1930-2014).
Title: Fro Fro.
Date: c 1970 (printed in 2000).
Country: Nigeria.
Medium: unmounted gelatin silver print.
Size: image 27 x 21 cm (framed 42,4 x 36,3 cm)
Condition: very good.
Reference: JDOOI1223/1.
Provenance:
Galerie Magnin-A, Paris.
Private collection, France 2012.
Christie's, sale 19834 - lot 28, 2021 11 09.
Literature: J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere, Photographs, André Magnin, Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain & Scalo. The Fro Fro hairstyle of the same model is shown on p. 74 as a rear view.
Extra: Blind stamp of the photographer (image); signed and dated in ink, photographer's copyright stamp, and annotated '17' in pencil (verso).
The style Fro Fro is from the Miliki family, but it was given a pet name. It is a hand-woven Oni Didi for all occasions.The name of the hairstyle 'Onile Gogoro or Akaba' refers to a tall building or ladder. This style is worn by all for special society events.
J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere was a photographer whose photo-documentaries of Nigerian hairstyles became world famous. Tightly coiled ropes, plaits and braids - he shot them all with systematic precision and from multiple angles. From the late 1960's, he walked the streets of Lagos, ducking into parties, offices and salons to record one of the country's greatest artforms: the sculpture of hair. 'Okhai Ojeikere's Hairstyle series is considered an anthropological treasure.
His work has been shown at exhibitions around the world, including the Venice Biennale, Documenta and Tate Modern.