Samuel Fosso
Born in 1962 · Cameroon / Nigeria / Central African Republic
Transforming oneself to tell stories of identity.
The story
Samuel Fosso grew up in Nigeria before settling in Bangui, where he learned photography and opened a studio at a very young age. Alongside commissions, he made self-portraits in which clothing and props allowed him to invent characters. His work later questioned models of representation and Black historical figures. Transforming his appearance interrogates images of power as much as collective memory.
Understanding the work
Distinguish the photographer from the characters he embodies. Compare costume, pose and the reference image: re-enactment reveals the conventions that make a status, identity or historical figure immediately recognisable.
Key works and series
70’s Lifestyle; Tati; African Spirits; The Emperor of Africa.
Sources & further exploration
Works in collections.
1 recordsPhotographs to explore on museum and library websites, with titles, dates and processes. Each link opens the collection record and its image where one is available.
