DOCUMENTARY
A Thousand Shoes and Two Feet
“Amidst a sea of unpurchased dreams and economic strife, one man’s solitary effort stands out. ‘A Thousand Shoes, and Two Feet’ captures the struggle of a vendor whose hope and perseverance shine through the shadows of economic hardship, symbolizing the relentless pursuit of a better tomorrow against all odds.”
Street Manicure (2024)
This one picture is a representation of two things. The desire to keep clean even when it isn’t luxurious and what a stereotypical African man looks like. It’s not everyday you can hear a man say “let’s go get our nails done” where I’m from, and walk into a salon to do that.
The convenience with having someone clip your nails on the street is much more appealing, it’s more masculine.
Up Yellow House (2024)
This picture pays homage to the trying efforts of kids in yellow house that had to play while still keeping their uniforms clean.
Why Would I Serve Our Father land? (2024)
Smiles And Bombastic Side Eyes (2024)
Projects
‘Ebitimi’ (2024)- exploring the ability to bend until the uncomfortable becomes comfortable.
We’ve challenged ourselves to use our discomfort in our favor. We’re all collectively struggling, as individuals, as creatives, as Nigerians. When does it get better? How loud can we scream? When does it end?
What if we keep dancing? (2024)
Political Agenda (2024)
Lifestyle
Weareallchemicals (2023)
Benjiflow (2023)
Sharkkana (2022)
Donpaapi (2022)
57Labii (2023)
Shippy (2023)
POLAROIDS
Lancey
Tiwa Savage
Slik Syd
Mowalola
Zamir
Tamia
Blessing Ewona
Olaolu Slawn
Ireti
Ola
Korty
Prettyboy D-O
clients and commissions
Revamp Documentee (2023)
Waf Babes Capsule (2023)
Pith x Waf (2023)
Brk Academy (2023)
Meji Meji (2023)
This is Us x Waf (2023)
Chimamaka (2023)
Bolapsd (2024)
Brk Academy (2024)
Streetsouk (2022)
Homecoming (2023)
Homecoming (2024)
ABOUT
Odey Ikpa who hails from Cross River, Nigeria is a photographer and visual storyteller. He uses documentary and lifestyle portrait photography to evoke strong emotions and the feeling of nostalgia.
With his artistic practice, he primarily focuses on what feels familiar to himself and his subjects — exploring themes centered around blackness, community and repressed emotions. He employs a play on light and shadows, deep tones and dramatic movement to create imagery that feels timeless with aesthetic and cultural relevance.
Odey’s work has been featured in notable publications like GIDA Journal, Hypebeast Africa, The Native Magazine, Basement Approved, Institut Français du Nigeria, Morebranches and more.
Features
- Basement Approved
- GIDA Journal
- Hypebeast Africa
- The Process Africa
- More branches
- Notesphere
- Ourhomecoming
- Nok by Alara
- Revamp600x
- Institut Francais du Nigeria
- Home Movie Film Club
- Simonsaysdrip
- NativeMag
