…the ethnographic gaze cannot exist in the realm of exoticism when the subject and the photographer exist at the same time, as evidenced by the photographs in this exceptional exhibition of photographs by Nina Fischer-Stephan. The respectful gaze offered by Fischer-Stephan is refreshingly different from the more common and dominant gaze of pioneering colonial photography by Nortcote Thomas, which reinforced stereotypes of Nigerians, while dehumanizing the individual and reducing them to a collectable specimen. and classified by type.
There is a remarkable and thought-provoking photography exhibition in Tinubu Square, Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. "The Respectful Gaze", the large-scale outdoor exhibition consisting of seventy-four printed photographs mounted on 2×2 meter tarpaulin installed around the square features the work of Nina Fischer–Stephan. This exhibition is important because, through her gaze, she managed to break the frame, revealing a strong social context. German-born Nina Fischer-Stephan came to Africa in 1959 and spent more than ten years in Ibadan with her son and her husband, Klaus Stephan, a broadcast journalist and special correspondent in Nigeria. During this period, Nina Fischer-Stephan traveled extensively with her husband across the country and in doing so, over time, amassed a rich documentation of early post-independence Nigeria.
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Choosing a public space accessible to the average Nigerian citizen in the 2,000 square meters of iron fenced Tinubu Square is an interesting decision, much applauded and appreciated. The square has been an important site in history and contains a life-size statue of Madame Tinubu who gave the square its name. Madame Efunroye Tinubu was a powerful Yoruba anti-colonial campaigner, merchant and slave trader who allegedly donated the land to the British colonial authorities. Tinubu Square was first called "Ita Tinubu" before its name changed to Independence Square following Nigeria's independence in 1960, coinciding almost exactly with the year Nina Fischer-Stephan first arrived times in Nigeria. Independence Square, located in the heart of Lagos, later became Tinubu Square. The court of assizes was the first building built on this land. This courthouse was later demolished for the construction of a water fountain commemorating the independence of Nigeria.
…the ethnographic gaze cannot exist in the realm of exoticism when the subject and the photographer exist at the same time, as evidenced by the photographs in this exceptional exhibition of photographs by Nina Fischer-Stephan. The respectful gaze offered by Fischer-Stephan is refreshingly different from the more common and dominant gaze of pioneering colonial photography by Nortcote Thomas, which reinforced stereotypes of Nigerians, while dehumanizing the individual and reducing them to a collectable specimen. and classified by type.
There is a remarkable and thought-provoking photography exhibition in Tinubu Square, Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. "The Respectful Gaze", the large-scale outdoor exhibition consisting of seventy-four printed photographs mounted on 2×2 meter tarpaulin installed around the square features the work of Nina Fischer–Stephan. This exhibition is important because, through her gaze, she managed to break the frame, revealing a strong social context. German-born Nina Fischer-Stephan came to Africa in 1959 and spent more than ten years in Ibadan with her son and her husband, Klaus Stephan, a broadcast journalist and special correspondent in Nigeria. During this period, Nina Fischer-Stephan traveled extensively with her husband across the country and in doing so, over time, amassed a rich documentation of early post-independence Nigeria.
>
Choosing a public space accessible to the average Nigerian citizen in the 2,000 square meters of iron fenced Tinubu Square is an interesting decision, much applauded and appreciated. The square has been an important site in history and contains a life-size statue of Madame Tinubu who gave the square its name. Madame Efunroye Tinubu was a powerful Yoruba anti-colonial campaigner, merchant and slave trader who allegedly donated the land to the British colonial authorities. Tinubu Square was first called "Ita Tinubu" before its name changed to Independence Square following Nigeria's independence in 1960, coinciding almost exactly with the year Nina Fischer-Stephan first arrived times in Nigeria. Independence Square, located in the heart of Lagos, later became Tinubu Square. The court of assizes was the first building built on this land. This courthouse was later demolished for the construction of a water fountain commemorating the independence of Nigeria.
"The respectful gaze". Photo credit: © Omoregie Osakpolor, Modern Art Film Archive, 2022.
