Nigeria was thriving in the 1970s. The country marked a decade of independence from Britain in 1970, the discovery of the Niger Delta led to a dramatic increase in oil production and revenue, and the Civil War fought between 1967 and 1970 had finally come to an end. The common sight of mobile tailor in neighbourhoods saw the emergence of a flourishing fashion scene and bands like Semi-Colon and the Funkees brought rock music to life. The capital city was full of energy. Abi Morocco was at the heart of this cultural revolution. The photographic studio, run by married couple John and Funilayo Abe, documented the rich style and joyous spirit of a generation of Lagosians. Now, a new exhibition at Autograph, London brings some long-awaited recognition to the duo. The collection not only preserves the legacy of Nigerian portraiture, but also sheds light on an often-overlooked chapter in Lagos’ history, celebrating a decade of transformation.
Husband-and-wife duo John Abe and Funmilayo Abe operated Abi Morocco, which flourished from the 1970s until 2006. Spirit of Lagos focuses on the company’s formative years, an era which saw the business grow from John’s initial work – travelling around Lagos on a Vespa to advertise his services as a photographer. Unlike many African portrait studios of that time, the Abes carved out a rare vocation: few female practitioners or collaborators worked so prolifically in the typically male-dominated field.
Autograph highlights how the couple were at the cutting-edge of the city’s modernisation, not just in their foregrounding of female photographers, but in the very people they documented. Images taken in Abi Morocco are as distinct and vibrant as the city itself, with a unique chequerboard floor and hand-painted backdrops. The sitters are endlessly fashionable, with quintessentially 1970s flares and big collars. Lagosians of many walks of life frequented the studio, including those who had attained economic prosperity during Nigeria’s rapid transformation following the oil boom. John and Funmilayo’s oeuvre encompasses a variety of styles: from formal portraits to commissioned photos at home and moments of celebration. When viewed collectively these beguiling pictures brings the sitters and their world into a space of liberation and reimagination, vividly capturing the rhythm of everyday life.
Lagos Studio Archive, an ongoing project to preserve Nigerian photographs from the 1970s, brought the work of John and Funmilayo Abe to light. The endeavour began when Kahl Ohiri “discovered that many archives were being destroyed, discarded and stored away in humid condition by a generation of practitioners who were part of a shift from analogue to digital, many opting for the speed and convenience of a digital workflow to meet demands of a fast-paced mega-city.” The team unearthed endless negatives, creating a library that reveals the hidden stories of Africa’s most populated city. This included Abi Morocco, as the workspace turned to digital in the 2000 and many physical records were at risk of being destroyed. The safeguarding of these works, and their presentation at Autograph, ensure that the lives of ordinary Nigerians in a period of rapid modernisation is rightfully placed in global narratives.
Spirit of Lagos is a visual history not only of the photographic works of Abi Morocco, but also of the city’s past and transformative spirit. Lagos in the 1970s was endlessly exciting, fashionable and forward-looking. The exhibition immortalises the dynamic period, leaving viewers with a profound connection to the people and moments that shaped a nation’s lively cultural legacy.
Abi Morocco Photos: Spirit of Lagos is at Autograph, London until 22 March 2025: Autograph.org.uk
Words: Emma Jacob
Image Credits:
Abi Morocco Photos, Aina Street, Shogunle, Lagos, 1979. Courtesy Lagos Studio Archives.
Abi Morocco Photos, Aina Street, Shogunle, Lagos, 1974. Courtesy Lagos Studio Archives.
Abi Morocco Photos, Aina Street, Shogunle, Lagos, 1979. Courtesy Lagos Studio Archives.
Abi Morocco Photos, Aina Street, Shogunle, Lagos, c. 1970s. Courtesy Lagos Studio Archives.
