The Quiet Subversion of Esther Adeola Seriki’s “Everyday Grace”

Introduction

In an age of visual noise and digital haste, where art often shouts for attention, Nigerian photographer Esther Adeola Seriki chooses a different path: the quiet subversion of grace. Her latest exhibition, Everyday Grace, is not a loud manifesto but a gentle yet powerful reclamation of beauty, identity, and cultural presence. Currently touring the United Kingdom and recently featured at the Art, Business and Creativity Conference in Lagos, this fine-art photography series offers a compelling counter-narrative to the immigrant experience and redefines what it means to see and be seen. Through a lens that prioritises patience, authenticity, and cultural resonance, Seriki’s work demonstrates that grace is not an elite privilege but a universal rhythm embedded in daily life.

The exhibition’s title, Everyday Grace, is both a description and an invitation. It calls the viewer to slow down, to look beyond the surface, and to recognise the profound in the ordinary. By focusing on the rhythms of everyday existence rather than dramatic spectacle, Seriki challenges modern media culture’s obsession with speed and sensationalism. This article explores the key themes, artistic strategies, and cultural significance of Everyday Grace, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of why this exhibition is both timely and timeless.

Key Points

Background

Esther Adeola Seriki: A Photographer with Purpose

Esther Adeola Seriki is a Nigerian documentary and fine-art photographer whose work bridges her heritage and her experiences in contemporary Britain. Unlike many artists who rely on shock value or maximalist aesthetics, Seriki’s approach is rooted in observation, patience, and a deep respect for her subjects. Her photography is not about capturing fleeting moments but about creating visual archives that speak to enduring human experiences.

Seriki’s commitment to open knowledge is evident in her contributions to Wikimedia Commons and her recognition as a winner of Wiki Loves Earth Nigeria. This background informs her photographic practice, lending it a documentary rigor that prevents her work from descending into mere sentimentality. Her eighth-place finish in the international Wiki Loves Earth competition is a testament to her skill and her ability to communicate universal themes through localised imagery.

The Immigrant Narrative Revisited

While Everyday Grace is informed by Seriki’s experience as a Nigerian in the UK, it deliberately avoids the traditional immigrant narrative of struggle and displacement. Instead, the exhibition reframes the immigrant experience as one of presence, continuity, and grace. This shift is significant in a media landscape where stories of migration are often framed through a lens of hardship and otherness. Seriki’s work offers a more nuanced and empowering perspective, one that emphasises resilience, cultural pride, and the beauty of everyday life.

Analysis

The Power of the Intentional Lens

At the heart of Everyday Grace is the concept of the “intentional lens.” Seriki’s photography is characterised by a deliberate slowness, both literal and figurative. She uses slow shutter speeds to capture the rhythm of everyday life, resisting the fast-paced, fragmented nature of modern visual culture. This technique allows her to create images that are not just seen but felt, inviting the viewer into a meditative space.

The intentional lens is also a metaphor for Seriki’s approach to her subjects. She is not a passive observer but an active curator of the extraordinary. Her photographs are carefully composed, with each element serving a purpose. Whether it’s the texture of traditional fabric against the cold stone of a British pavement or the contrast between a serene figure and a blurred urban background, every detail contributes to the overall narrative of grace and presence.

Core and Course: Cultural Echoes in Motion

The centerpiece of the Nigerian version of Everyday Grace, titled Core and Course: Cultural Echoes in Motion, is a powerful exploration of identity, heritage, and spiritual grounding. This series features Seriki’s mother, an African elder, as she walks through the streets of the UK. The choice of subject is itself a form of quiet subversion, as African elders are often rendered invisible or relegated to the background in Western media.

In these images, Seriki’s mother is the undeniable focal point. She is dressed in àṣọ òkè, a traditional Yoruba cloth rich in cultural and historical significance. The fabric’s intricate patterns and textures serve as a visual anchor, grounding the figure in her heritage. In her hand, she holds a Bible, a symbol of faith and stability. Around her, the modern world moves in a blur, but she remains centered, composed, and unshakable.

This juxtaposition of the traditional and the contemporary, the personal and the public, creates a powerful visual dialogue. It speaks to the idea that identity is not a fixed point in space and time but a lived experience that is carried and expressed through movement and presence. Seriki’s mother is not a passive observer of the urban landscape; she is an active participant, bringing her culture and faith into the public sphere.

Representation as Recovery

Seriki’s work can be seen as a form of visual recovery, reclaiming space and visibility for a demographic that is often marginalised in mainstream media. By placing a Black, African elder at the center of a Western urban narrative, Seriki challenges dominant visual tropes and asserts the importance of diverse representation. This is not just about inclusion; it is about redefining the narrative itself.

The concept of “carried identity” is central to this recovery. Rather than presenting identity as a static object, Seriki’s photographs suggest that identity is dynamic, fluid, and deeply personal. It is something that is lived, expressed, and continually reinterpreted. This perspective is particularly relevant in a globalised world where cultural boundaries are increasingly porous and identities are more complex than ever.

The Role of Texture and Contrast

One of the most striking aspects of Everyday Grace is Seriki’s use of texture and contrast. The soft, intricate patterns of traditional fabrics are set against the hard, unyielding surfaces of urban environments. This contrast is not just visual; it is symbolic, representing the tension between tradition and modernity, between the personal and the public.

The interplay of textures also serves to highlight the tactile nature of Seriki’s photography. Her images are not just to be seen; they are to be felt. The viewer can almost sense the weight of the fabric, the coolness of the stone, the warmth of the sunlight. This sensory engagement adds depth to the photographs, making them more immersive and emotionally resonant.

Practical Advice

How to Experience Everyday Grace Mindfully

For those who have the opportunity to view Everyday Grace in person, it is important to approach the exhibition with a sense of mindfulness and openness. Seriki’s work is not designed for quick consumption; it requires time, patience, and reflection. Here are some tips for getting the most out of the experience:

1. Slow Down: Take your time with each photograph. Allow your eyes to wander across the image, noticing the textures, colours, and composition.
2. Engage Your Senses: Try to imagine the textures and sounds that might accompany each scene. What would it feel like to touch the fabric, to walk on the pavement?
3. Reflect on Identity: Consider how the images speak to your own experiences of identity, culture, and belonging. What do they reveal about the ways in which we carry our histories and values with us?
4. Embrace Quiet Contemplation: Find a quiet moment to sit with the images and let them settle in your mind. What emotions do they evoke? What thoughts do they inspire?

Applying Seriki’s Principles to Your Own Photography

Even if you are not a professional photographer, you can apply the principles of Everyday Grace to your own visual practice. Here are some ways to incorporate Seriki’s approach into your photography:

• Focus on the Ordinary: Look for beauty in everyday scenes and objects. A simple street corner, a piece of fruit, or a shadow on a wall can all be subjects of grace.
• Use Slow Shutter Speeds: Experiment with slower shutter speeds to capture movement and create a sense of depth and rhythm.
• Pay Attention to Texture: Consider how different textures interact in your frame. The contrast between soft and hard, smooth and rough, can add visual interest and symbolic meaning.
• Be Intentional: Think about what you want to convey with each photograph. What story are you telling? What emotion are you evoking?
• Respect Your Subjects: Approach your subjects with empathy and respect. Whether you are photographing people, places, or objects, consider their dignity and significance.

FAQ

Conclusion

Esther Adeola Seriki’s Everyday Grace is more than just an exhibition; it is a quiet revolution in the way we see and understand the world. Through her intentional lens, Seriki reveals the beauty, dignity, and resilience that exist in everyday life, challenging us to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the grace that surrounds us. By centering African elders in Western urban landscapes and exploring the dynamic nature of identity, she reclaims visibility and narrative control for a demographic that is often marginalised. Her work is a powerful reminder that grace is not an elite privilege but a universal human experience, accessible to all who are willing to see it.

As we navigate an increasingly fast-paced and fragmented world, Everyday Grace offers a much-needed antidote: a call to mindfulness, presence, and empathy. Whether viewed in person or through digital reproductions, Seriki’s photographs invite us to engage with the world in a deeper, more meaningful way. They remind us that art does not have to shout to be heard; sometimes, the most powerful messages are whispered.