Adebayo Jolaoso: MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST
“I always encourage personal work and experimentation. It’s the only way you get better at what you do.” - Adebayo Jolaoso
OUR NOTES ABOUT Adebayo Jolaoso:
Adebayo Jolaoso is a Nigerian fashion contemporary photographer from Lagos, known as the creative hub of sub-Saharan Africa. He is distinguished by his black-and-white images, with a preference for portraits and close-ups. Fascinated by faces, he explores their singularities, imperfections, and uniqueness, while seeking to capture the stories they carry.
With a degree in sociology, Adebayo is deeply interested in the individual’s place in society, particularly those who dare to be different and defy the strict social norms of Nigerian society.
His portrait series highlights unconventional men and women whose boldness and originality transcend established norms. He skillfully connects these marginalized figures with ancestral symbols, grounding them in Nigeria’s cultural history. For instance, he incorporates traditional elements such as the hat or skirt worn without a top, inspired by village attire, subtly restoring a connection to the country’s roots.
In the Siren series from 2019, he shot model Precious John in the water at Oniru beach, bathed in soft light. A visual poetry emerges between the calm of the photographs and the frenetic pace of the city of Lagos.
What makes Adebayo’s work unique is his ability to reveal the beauty of contrasts, not as harsh oppositions but as subtle celebrations of diversity. It’s this delicate approach, this deep respect for difference, that gives his work a universal and timeless resonance.
Eclectic BOOK and Exhibition Celebrate the Heart Of Nigerian Fashion
In the fast-paced spectacle of fashion, the runway is the spotlight where style, glamour, and performance intersect. Yet, behind the curtains lies a richly textured world of preparation, collaboration, and emotion. With Eclectic, which entails a book and accompanying exhibition, Eclectic: As We Are & A Little Bit More which took place from May 02nd to May 05th in Lagos, Adebayo Jolaoso offers an intimate look at the backstage life of Lagos; most influential fashion events: Lagos Fashion Week, GTBank Fashion Weekend, and Arise Fashion Week. Spanning six years of dedicated documentation, Eclectic is both a visual archive and a cultural chronicle—capturing the soul of Nigeria’s fashion scene from a rarely seen perspective. The 3-day exhibition attracted over 300 guests from various sectors, including fashion, art, and culture.
PRESS:
RADR Africa
Malvie Magazine
Africa Is Now Magazine
Nataal media
Pansy Magazine
Schick magazine
Slippage Magazine
INTERVIEWS AND VIDEOS:
BOOKS
Eclectic (2025)
Book cover by Adebayo
Africa Fashion: A Cultural Renaissance book by V&A museum London (2022)
“There’s something about photography that I don’t know if people tend to see or if we photographers tend to see a lot, is how different things come into play that are so unpredictable and they end up coming together and just make a very beautiful image.”
VIDEOS
Instagram @adebayophotographer