From teaming up with the eccentric Kanye-backed Nigerian-born fashion designer Mowalola to working it behind the camera on Nike’s Women World Cup campaigns, Ruth Ossai’s photography is a dynamic celebration of her Nigerian heritage. Ossai shoots from a perspective that uplifts the identity of whatever she points her camera at–mainly family, community members, and the sublime/familiar artistic pulses within everyday life. Raised in Anambra, Nigeria, the photographer began her career by recreating her favourite Nollywood scenes on her dad’s old-school Blackberry cellphone. This stylistic influence expanded into her ultimate photographic identity which reflects the strength, tenacity and ingenuity of eastern Nigerians in order to celebrate Nigerian identity and […] give visual insight to others.
Her work, of course, could not go ignored. It resonated strongly with fellow creatives Akinola Davies Jr and Ibrahim Kamara who share similar signature references to African culture in their own creative work. This link-up of great minds allowed Ossai to move into new circles and even put her on Rihanna’s radar!
Keep up with Ossai’s work on her Instagram and check out our favourite shots in the gallery.
