Abraham Onoriode Oghobase Metallurgical Practice - Diagram 01, 2019 Vinyl and inkjet print on fibre paper Vinyl: 121.9 x 175.3 cm
In late 2016, Oghobase traveled to Jos Plateau in Centreal Nigeria to seek out residues of British colonial mining activity in the region, which began in the early twentieth century and ceased in the decade following Nigeria’s discovery of oil in 1956, and independence shortly after. A central approach to this investigation entailed surveying ‘mining ponds’ resembling pristine lakes, depleted landscapes and rock formations—all of which testify to exploitative human pursuits, past and present. Traveling alone and equipped with his camera, Oghobase’s movements across the landscape were unplanned and intuitive. The photographs he produced show various aspects of this spontaneous dialogue with the natural environment. They speak of his attempts to integrate his body with the body of the land. Anatomy of Landscape - Jos (2018) reflects this instinctive response to the land. The series captures my chance encounter with the quiet vistas fraught with histories of exploitation.
