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Autograph’s Spirit of Lagos exhibition unearthed the story of Abi Morocco Photos, one of the most vibrant photographic studios operating in Lagos. Now we’re pleased to share a selection of the studio’s remarkable black-and-white portraits from the exhibition, celebrating the rich style and joyous spirit of Lagos during the 1970s, a transformative period in Nigeria’s history.
Operated by husband-and-wife duo John Abe and Funmilayo Abe the studio thrived from the 1970s to 2006. Their oeuvre encompasses a variety of styles: from formal studio portraits to commissioned photos at home and moments of celebration. The studio was frequented by Lagosians of many walks of life including those who had attained economic prosperity during Nigeria's rapid transformation following the oil boom.
In the 2000s many studios, including Abi Morocco Photos, transitioned towards digital photography. As a result, many negatives and physical records were at risk of being lost or destroyed in favour of new technologies. The exhibition at Autograph was the result of the ongoing efforts of the Lagos Studio Archives project, which aims to preserve and present the legacy of Nigerian studio photography. Through their research – supported by a residency at Guest Artist Space Foundation – the contributions of studios like Abi Morocco Photos are now recognised in the cultural history and discourse of African studio portraiture. Following the exhibition, and as part of this preservation journey, ten of the works seen below entered into Autograph's collection of photography.
John and Funmilayo started their photographic careers independently. When they first met, Funmilayo was working under the name “Funmilayo Photo.” She often visited John’s studio to use his enlarger, discuss photography, and spend time together. Their shared passion for photography brought them closer, and they eventually fell in love.
In 1973, they decided to join forces under the studio name “Young Abi Morocco Photos.” Together, they had eight children, though tragically, their first daughter, Yetunde, passed away in 1979. Over the years, they balanced work and family life. As their children got older, they would assist in the shop, a few of them have even gone onto becoming photographers, inspired by their parents.
Abi Morocco Photos operated at their Aina Street studio in Shogunle for 18 years. During this time, they employed many apprentices, and at the peak of their commercial success, they had up to 11 apprentices working in the studio. The studio had a purpose-built darkroom where they developed their prints. On busy days, they would work late into the night, as the studio was also their home.
In 2006, the Abes left Aina Street due to rising rents. Soon after, much of their archive was discarded as the photographs deteriorated and were no longer needed, choosing to keep only the most significant parts of the collection that held personal importance to them.
A freedom ceremony is a traditional celebration marking the successful completion of an apprenticeship or skilled trade training, particularly prevalent in Yoruba culture. The event honours the apprentice’s dedication, perseverance, and mastery of their craft. Family members, local community members, and mentors typically attend to offer support and celebrate their achievement. During the ceremony, symbolic objects related to the profession alongside ceremonial offerings, to mark the apprentice’s transition into professional independence.
Emos, the younger brother of Funmilayo’s father Jago, on a visit to Lagos.
Funmilayo Abe (b. 1953, Mushin, Nigeria) specialised in various forms of commercial portraiture, including studio portraits, documentary, and street photography.
She chose not to pursue formal schooling after primary school and instead followed her passion for photography. Between 1967 and 1970, she apprenticed with a local female photographer known as "Nike Photo" in Shogunle, where she honed her skills in photography and enjoyed the solitude of the darkroom. Gaining respect in her community as a talented photographer, Abe established several studios from 1969 to 2021, both independently and with her husband. These studios included “Funmilayo Photo,” “Young Abi Morocco Photos,” “Abi Morocco Photos,” and “Jadesola Photo.” She retired in 2021, she continues to live in Alagbado, Lagos State.
John Abe (b.1946, Ekiti, Nigeria – d. 2024, Alagbado, Lagos State, Nigeria) developed an interest in photography at age 12 when a photographer was commissioned to take portraits of his mother and grandmother at their home.
He recalls watching the photographer at work was like seeing a magician perform magic. Determined to pursue his passion, he apprenticed under Mr. Oladiran Asaiya, also known as "Yankee Photo," in Ogun State between 1968-1969. After moving to Lagos in 1969, Abe was able to purchase his first camera and a bicycle, which he used to travel around, advertising his services with a bag labelled "Abi Morocco." Over the years, the studio operated under various names in independence and partnership with his wife including "Young Abi Morocco Adeomosun Photos," "Young Abi Morocco Photos," and "Abi Morocco Photos." Specialising in many forms of portraiture Abe continued his photography career and ran the studio until his retirement in 2006. Abe passed away in June 2024 at the age of 77.
Lagos Studio Archives is an ongoing cultural preservation project by Karl Ohiri (UK/NIG) and Riikka Kassinen (FIN/UK), consisting of thousands of film negatives documenting studio portraiture and vernacular photography in Lagos from the 1970s to post millennium.
The project started in 2015 when Ohiri discovered that many archives were being destroyed, discarded and stored away in humid conditions by a generation of photographers who were part of a shift from analogue to digital photography. Working with local photographers Ohiri started acquiring the endangered negatives in an attempt to ensure that this precious cultural heritage was not lost over time.
The Lagos Studio Archives aims to preserve and present the imagery of a generation of photographers that captured the style, humour and aspirations of everyday Lagosians, whose works would have gone unnoticed to the art world without intervention.
Introducing Autograph's new exhibition by Abi Morocco Photos
Read blog post | 4 min read
Rewind to 1970s Nigeria with this playlist compiled to accompany the exhibition
ListenBanner image: Abi Morocco Photos, John Abe reading a newspaper in the studio at Aina Street, Shogunle, c.1970s. Courtesy Lagos Studio Archives. © Abi Morocco Photos.
Install images: Abi Morocco Photos: Spirit of Lagos exhibition at Autograph, London. Curated by Bindi Vora and Lagos Studio Archives. Photograph by Kate Elliott.
All other images on page courtesy Lagos Studio Archives and © Abi Morocco Photos.
About the artists: 1) Abi Morocco Photos, Aina Street, Shogunle, Lagos [detail], c.1970s. Courtesy Lagos Studio Archives. © Abi Morocco Photos. 2) Courtesy Lagos Studio Archives. © Abi Morocco Photos. 3) Courtesy Lagos Studios Archives.
Autograph is a place to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
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