The Spirit Of Lagos - Abi Morocco Studios - Art Review by Paris St. Mercury

Before seeing the spirit of Lagos, I assumed I’d only see pictures but I truly, I felt possessed. From the amazing 70’s Nigerian playlist to the refined pastel colours on the walls, I was immersed in Yoruba culture and the indisputable brilliance of Abi Moroccos Studios. 

Photographs are being exhibited at The Autograph in Rivington Place, London till March 2025. Picture is from the Spirit of Lagos Exhibition.

When you begin, you’re invigorated by a potent romance. The operators of Abi Moroccos and husband-and-wife duo, John and Funmilayo Abe, are like titans peering into our world from cloud nine. Bare in mind, all pictures are in black and white. Yet the monochrome presentation encourages you to colour, to play in the dense, multi-layered and complex patterns. And the exhibits flamboyance is a symptom of the bountiful environment that this community created. 

But what the spirit of Lagos shares with the audience is that which we may never know without effort: union. The joy, hope and optimism present is a powerful adhesive joining the people of Lagos with their identities. If our role in life is to preserve beauty wherever we can, this exhibition is the parting gift of John and Funmilayo Abe.