The Visitor is an almost mythical account of the artist’s audience with Oba Erediauwa, the current king of Benin (in southern Nigera) and takes the form of a photo-essay. A local narrator follows the artist into the Oba’s palace and recounts the conversation between the European visitor and the royal host and his court of chiefs. The exchange centers on the Benin Bronzes (which were famously looted by the British in 1897 and are now in over 500 museums and collections mainly in the West), on collective memory and the demand for restitution. However, communication remains somewhat elusive, slipping in and out of gaps of cultural and historical difference.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.