As a fine art photographer living and working in Lagos Nigeria, Lawal’s work is deeply influenced by his environment. Nigeria is inhabited by the largest demographic of diverse ethnic groups in Africa” with over 525 native languages spoken. His appreciation of Nigerian culture heightened his curiosity to experience continually and to explore the vast nuance of cultural differences of the Nigerian people. His particular artistic style and use of hues and high contrasting colors, came from his incorporation of his mother’s keen sensibility of colors which was reflected in the fabrics she wore and the flowers she cultivated in her garden. This influence can be seen in the new and recycled materials he uses in combination with his photography to create a raw realism that commands attention to his innovative craft, spirituality and structure.
Since 2014, Sanjo has been capturing and documenting scenes from his environment using his iPhone. His exploration and discovery of art started with scribbling and drawing/illustrating on paper. This led to his artistic journey in photography and developed his passion and creativity for the art. For Lawal, every color has a central detail and there is a story in every photograph. His daily life and activity creates additional inspiration, which allows him to mix paint colors with photography masterfully.
