J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
A Million Braid

A Million Braid

© J.D.Okhai Ojeikere, courtesy Gallery FIFTY ONE

A Million Braid
A Million Braid
PrinterFrench, 1943–2020
CultureNigerian
Titles
  • A Million Braid
  • from the series Hairstyles
Date1999, printed 2013
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsSheet: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Frame: 26 × 25 9/16 in. (66 × 65 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Caroline Wiess Law Accessions Endowment Fund
Object number2019.413.4
Not on view

Explore Further

Department
Photography
Object Type
Description

“Hairstyles are an art form,” photographer J. D. ‘Okhai
Ojeikere said. They are also an important signifier. Prior to Nigerian inde-
pendence in 1960, wigs and straightening had replaced much of the indigenous
hair culture. Following independence, traditional styles reemerged alongside
modern designs, attracting the eye of the artist. The more than 1,000
hairstyles captured by Ojeikere in 30 years represent a declaration of self and
of heritage and reference both past and present. “All these hairstyles are
ephemeral,” he said. “I want my photographs to be noteworthy traces of them. I
always wanted to record moments of beauty, moments of knowledge.”




Provenance[Yossi Milo Gallery, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2019.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Pineapple Kiko
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1971, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.1
Suku Sinero Kiko
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1974, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.2
Agaracha
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1974, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.3
Pineapple
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1963, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.5
Mkpuk Eba
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1974, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.6
Suku Sesema
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1977, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.12
Onile Gogoro Or Akaba
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1975, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.7
Fro Fro
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1970, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.8
Koroba
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1975, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.9
Udoji
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1975, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.10
Atiai
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
1970, printed 2013
Gelatin silver print
2019.413.11
Suku Moremi
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
2000, printed March 2, 2001
Gelatin silver print
2005.153