Untitled (Abebe)
- Artist: J.D. Okhai Ojeikere
- Date: 1975, printed 2012
- Medium: Photograph, gelatin silver print on paper
- Dimensions: image: 300 x 300 mm
- Museum: Tate Modern
- Collection record: Tate Modern website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the “Untitled (Abebe)” by J.D. Okhai Ojeikere. The image was taken in 1975, then reproduced as a gelatin silver print in 2012, so you’re looking at a crisp, high‑contrast black‑and‑white photograph. The subject is a Nigerian woman—Abebe—wearing a striking pair of earrings and a traditional hairstyle that frames her face. The photograph is a quiet celebration of everyday beauty, capturing her expression and the subtle details of her hair and clothing. Ojeikere’s work often highlights African identity and style, and this piece sits neatly within his “Hairstyles” series. It’s currently on view as part of a recent exhibition that explores Nigerian Modernism, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich visual culture of Nigeria during the late twentieth century.
See it in person
Untitled (Abebe) is in the collection of Tate Modern on Bankside, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
