Dennis Osadebe Nigerian, b. 1991

Dennis Osadebe (b. 1991, Lagos, Nigeria)  is inspired by mid-20th century West African photographers such as Seydou Keïta, Malick Sidibé, Adama Kouyaté. Osadebe is fascinated by the sense of duality in their photographs, where similarly dressed figures foster connections through deliberate posing. The masks depicted are the focal point of his works. Osadebe highlights the importance of African tribal masks and the history that follows them. By using these masks as a symbol of cultural identity, colonial history, and personal history, he connects his powerful narrative with a contemporary artistic aesthetic–forcing a dialogue between Western and African art.