Interview with Morgan Otagburuagu – Photographic Artist
Interview with Morgan Otagburuagu. Photographic Artist based in Lagos, Nigeria featured in Vogue, Times, Guardian. Exhibition In Bloom at Doyle Wham, London celebrates the irresistible beauty of being Black.
Otagburuagu, born in 1997 in Abia State, Nigeria, is a self-taught photographer. He has made significant strides in the fashion and art industries with his unique portraiture style. His new series, In Bloom, makes its global debut in this exhibition at Doyle Wham Gallery, a renowned African art gallery in London, UK. These works are monumental for Otagburuagu, symbolizing rebirth and re-emergence after a personal tragedy—the loss of both parents in 2021. This event led to a two-year hiatus in his creative journey.
In this series, Otagburuagu explores the cyclical nature of life and death, using nature as a metaphor. Flowers, central to the series, symbolize both celebration and mourning. They reflect respect for the past and hope for the future.
In Bloom also delivers a powerful societal and political message: dark Black skin is beautiful. Working in Lagos’s fashion industry, Otagburuagu faces the realities of colorism and the stigmatization of dark-skinned women. He observes the growing popularity of skin-lightening treatments. To combat this, he collaborates with darker-skinned models, highlighting the inherent beauty in Blackness.
For his first solo exhibition, Otagburuagu will travel outside Nigeria to London. He will be in residence at Doyle Wham Gallery, hosting special events such as masterclasses, panel discussions, and Nigerian-inspired supper clubs. During London Gallery Weekend (2-4 June 2023), he offers visitors a unique opportunity. They can become part of the artwork series by having their portrait shot in a custom floral setting, in the style of In Bloom, within the gallery.
Doyle Wham Gallery is a key destination for photography exhibitions in London, showcasing contemporary African artists. Otagburuagu’s work further cements its reputation as a leading African art gallery in London, UK.
