Run, don’t walk down to Bankside for Samuel Fosso’s solo exhibition at Purdy Hicks Gallery, as it’s on only until this Saturday (6th) and is not to be missed. The Cameroonian photographer, celebrated for more than 30 years, was the inaugural winner of Africa’s most prestigious photo festival prize (Prize Rencontres de la Photographie, Bamako, Mali, 1994) and is often compared to Diane Arbus for his self-reflexive portraits.
The Liberated American Woman of the 70’s, 1997
The exhibition consists of work from three series-
The 70s series, which is all black and white auto portraits taken for his mother from his photographic studio in Bangui, Central African Republic.
African Spirits, a collection of self portraits where Fosso has photographed himself as a variety of African icons, including leading political thinkers and sporting legends.
Tati, commissioned by the French clothing-store Tati, in which he plays with characters that are Western cliches.
Samuel Fosso (until July 6)
Purdy Hicks Gallery
65 Hopton Street
Bankside
London SE1 9GZ
Tel: (020) 7401 9229
Opening Hours
Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 11am-6pm
African Art in London 