Jenevieve Aken

Jenevieve Aken (born 1989)[1] is a Nigerian documentary, self-portrait and urban portrait photographer, focusing on cultural and social issues. Her work often revolves around her personal experiences and social issues surrounding gender roles.[2] Aken also models in her self-portrait works. Her work has been shown at Lagos Photo Festival.[2][3] Aken currently resides in Lagos, Nigeria.[4][5]

Biography

Aken grew up in the small village of Ikom Aluk in Cross River State. She suffered the death of her mother at a young age and was not aligned her father. He father was rather traditional and didn't want her to pursue career in music. Hence, they parted ways. She wrote songs inspired by her life experiences, one song being titled "Make It Through The Race." After her short stint in music she went on to try acting but soon put that aside as well. She eventually got her first break at the Vilsco Fashion Show and recognized the harsh realities of women in the modelling industry. It was her experiences in modeling that brought her to a career in photography.[6]

She enrolled in the Market Photo workshop, Johannesburg, South Africa but was not able to complete the courses as she discovered opportunities in the British Council Model of the Year competition. She returned home to participate in the MTN Lagos Fashion & Design Week. While she stopped short of completing her photography classes, she told Pulse.ng "I will go back to complete my photography school. I know photography and modeling are both heavy tasks to undertake but I have passion for both and will do both concurrently for as long as I can," in an interview. Aken has seen success in photography regardless of finishing classes by participating in the Lagos Photo Festival.[6]

Photography series

Handy Hands

This photo series documents women in Berlin, Germany as they struggle to fit into "specified" roles of women in society. The images show a series of women pursuing careers that historically men have dominated. The women in the photos feel strongly about their career and are confident in the work they are doing regardless of the gender gap.[7]

The Masked Women

This is a black and white, self-portrait series meant to depict women and their social roles in Nigerian culture. The images depict the peace and self-fulfillment of a women without the stigmatized overarching views of women in a Nigerian culture. The images also explore how women can feel constrained by the stereotypes of what a "proper women" should act like in society. These photos are meant to exemplify women who have broken these stigmas but feel isolated by the norms of the society. In this series Aken hopes to inspire Nigerian women to practice their freedom regardless of external stereotypes.[8]

Great Expectations

Inspired by Charles Dickens', Great Expectations, Akens created this series to illustrate the pressures on women, specifically African, to get married.[2][9] Akens attempts to show how even the most successful women can feel unsuccessful until they are married due to social pressures.[10][11]

Monankim

This photo series by Aken is based on a tradition ritual called Monankim that originates from the Bakor minority tribes. Monankim is a tradition in the Bakor culture that circumcises women and then celebrated as it is a symbol of entering womanhood.[1] This tradition is seen as a right of passage and a woman is idolized after completing the process.[1] This tradition is controversial[12] as the process is dangerous and life-threatening. Aken documents the opposing views of Monankim by women in the society.[1] While some see the process as exciting, others feel hesitant toward the idea.[1]

Community and Courage

This photo series is set at a beach called Takwa Bay which is a popular place for refugees who swim and surf. Takwa Bay is known for allowing wide ranges of people to interact. The photos in this series depict how community and courage are both required in sports as the photos show children playing together regardless of societal background.[13]

Awards

References
  1. "25 artists shortlisted for Contemporary African Photography Prize – British Journal of Photography". British Journal of Photography. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  2. O'Reilly, Finbarr (6 November 2016). "Exploring African Identity and Ritual at Lagos Photo Festival". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  3. Williams, Megan (20 August 2020). "Intimate mental health series wins Wellcome Photography Prize 2020". Creative Review. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  4. Olivetti, Martina. "The 4 Female African Contemporary Artists You Should Know". Culture Trip. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  5. "The Latest in Contemporary Art, Culture + Visual Media". Art Base Africa. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  6. Mix, Pulse. "Introducing Jenevieve Aken – MTN Model of the Year". Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  7. "Jenevieve Aken Photography – Handy Hands". Jenevieve Aken Photography. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  8. "LagosPhoto | International art festival of photography in Nigeria". LagosPhoto. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  9. Orubo, Daniel (1 October 2016). "Photographer captures the pressures of marriage Nigerian women face". Konbini Nigeria. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  10. "Great Expectations – Miss Aken". GUP Magazine. 12 December 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  11. "Jenevieve Aken's photographic series Great Expectations – Bubblegum Club". Bubblegum Club. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  12. "Prizewinning images of Africa, from grasshoppers to street life – in pictures". The Guardian. London. 1 April 2018. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  13. "Jenevieve Aken Photography – Community & Courage". Jenevieve Aken Photography. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  14. "The Latest in Contemporary Art, Culture + Visual Media". Art Base Africa. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
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