FELABRATION 2019 | 14-20 OCTOBER | FREEDOM PARK
OUTDOOR PHOTO EXHIBITION by BOLAJI ALONGE
Eyes of a Lagos Boy, photographer Bolaji Alonge, presents an outdoor photo exhibition at Freedom Park during Felabration 2019 on Femi Kuti. Femi Anikulapo-Kuti and the Positive Force symbolize the celebration of joy but also deeply rooted resistance and belief in a better future for Nigeria and Africa, free from corruption and strife.
The New Afrika Shrine, Femi’s concert venue, is an iconic space in contemporary Nigeria, built on the foundations of Fela’s legendary Africa Shrine that acquired countercultural stature since the early 1970’s.
Felabration is an annual music festival conceived in 1998 by Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti in memory and celebration of her father Fela Kuti, a Nigerian musician and human rights activist known for pioneering afrobeat.
The one-week-long event is held annually at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja and at Freedom Park, Lagos Island. It attracts visitors from all over the world and has thus been considered as an official tourist destination by the Lagos state government.
Felabration is held during the week of Fela’s birthday. The event features musical performances by top music acts from Nigeria and guest appearances by internationally acclaimed musicians and personalities. It also consists of street parades, symposia on social and topical issues, debates and photo exhibitions.
Femi Kuti is Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s eldest son and the strongest proponent of his legacy. Afrobeat forever.
This exhibition is organized with the support of Chocolate City Music, in cooperation with Freedom Park and Felabration 2019.
Photos and posters will be on sale in limited editions at both Freedom Park and the New Afrika Shrine.
BIOGRAPHY
Bolaji Alonge is an artist, photographer and actor from Lagos, Nigeria with more than a decade of experience in documenting history, looking for beauty where it is least expected. In May 2017, Bolaji organized his “Eyes of a Lagos Boy” photo exhibition at Freedom Park in Lagos. His second solo exhibition “Urban Culture – Historical Continuity” was held at One Draw Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos in November 2018. In February 2019, Bolaji showcased his work at Baza Studio in New York. A third solo exhibition, “Black & White” was hosted at Quintessence, Lagos in July 2019.
Bolaji is a regular at the Shrine, a grove of deep rhythms for those addicted to freedom. He has been documenting Femi for years and is a dedicated “shrine rat” himself. He is currently editor, West Africa, for Musicinafrica.net, Africa’s largest digital music platform.
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