Rotimi Fani-Kayode's 'Staging Desire' Exhibition at Autograph, London, Explores Black Queer Identity and Spirituality
Running until 22 March at Autograph in London, an exhibition showcases more than 30 black-and-white staged portraits, archival materials, and the film Rage and Desire (1991) by Rotimi Fani-Kayode (1955-1989). Fani-Kayode, who fled Nigeria at the age of twelve due to the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), delves into themes of race, desire, and sexuality, particularly focusing on the Black queer male experience. The portraits feature subjects who often avert their gaze from the camera, reflecting Fani-Kayode's spiritual approach to photography. Accompanied by text from Shyama Laxman, the exhibition encourages viewers to contemplate complex issues of identity and representation. This announcement was made on 15 December 2024.
Key facts
- Rotimi Fani-Kayode (1955-1989) was born in Nigeria to a Yoruba family who were priests of Ifá
- He moved to England at age twelve to escape the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)
- The exhibition includes over 30 black-and-white staged portraits, archival materials, and the film Rage and Desire (1991)
- It runs at Autograph, London until 22 March
- Fani-Kayode described himself as an outsider in terms of sexuality, dislocation, and not meeting parental expectations
- His work uses a technique of ecstasy to bring spiritual dimensions and ambiguity to reality
- Portraits feature subjects not meeting the camera's gaze, including a man in black gloves and pearls and another in bondage gear
- The exhibition addresses race, sexual orientation, representation, and invites spiritual perspectives
Entities
Artists
- Rotimi Fani-Kayode
- Shyama Laxman
Institutions
- Autograph
- Aesthetica Magazine
Locations
- London
- England
- Nigeria