Damilola Fowosire Unveils Venice of Africa: A Bold Reimagining of Makoko Through Art, Dignity & Youth Empowerment

Renowned documentary photographer Damilola Fowosire has launched Venice of Africa, a groundbreaking exhibition that reframes the global perception of Makoko one of Lagos’ most misunderstood communities. Through emotionally rich imagery, youth empowerment, and community-centred storytelling, Damilola’s work challenges the long-held stereotypes surrounding the iconic floating settlement.

His journey began in 2017/2018 during his first-ever visit to Makoko while documenting an NGO outreach. That moment, he said, changed everything.
“I photographed the people, listened to their stories, and something shifted in me that day,” Damilola recalled. What started as documentation soon grew into a mission. Over the years, he returned repeatedly, sometimes with donors, sometimes with friends but eventually realised charity alone wasn’t enough.

Inspired by Tunde Onakoya’s Chess in Slums, he asked himself what skill he could bring to the community. The answer was clear: photography and modelling.
“These were the tools that shaped my own life,” he said.

Thus, Venice of Africa was born an artistic empowerment project where children in Makoko were trained, photographed, and given a platform to express confidence, identity, and creativity. Damilola Fowosire hopes to replicate the initiative across underserved communities in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.

As a documentary photographer, he believes the camera holds immense power to reshape perceptions. For years, global media portrayed Makoko only through poverty. Damilola set out to correct that imbalance.
“My background taught me to photograph with empathy,” he said. “Instead of focusing on what is broken, I photograph what is powerful.”

His mission to reveal “the unseen and underrepresented” drives every shot. With Venice of Africa, he invites viewers to encounter Makoko as he experiences it vibrant, joyful, resilient, and deeply human.

Each image intentionally blends visual beauty with socio-cultural depth. “The beauty draws you in, but the truth keeps you engaged,” he explained, noting that authentic storytelling does not need to be forced.

Some of the most defining moments of the project came from the children themselves. Their excitement while learning photography and modelling, their transformation in front of the camera, and the emotional runway nightheld on a floating platform deepened the project’s purpose.
“I almost got teary,” he said. “These are kids the world overlooks, now shining on a floating runway.”

For audiences, Damilola Fowosire hopes the exhibition shifts long-standing narratives.
“I want people to see beauty instead of pity, strength instead of struggle, and possibility instead of limitation. Makoko is not ‘less than.’ It is alive, vibrant, and incredibly human.”

Venice of Africa fits seamlessly into the broader arc of his career, which has consistently centred on dignity, culture, environment, and identity. His international recognition has affirmed that Nigerian stories told truthfully can resonate globally.

Looking forward, Damilola plans to expand his role as an artist, storyteller, and founder of ERIN. His vision is to build platforms that empower children in underserved communities with lifelong skills, confidence, and representation.
“Talent exists everywhere,” he said. “What people need are platforms and opportunities.”

Damilola Fowosire describes the exhibition as a cultural movement rather than just an art showcase:

“Venice of Africa shows the world that communities like Makoko are full of creativity, humanity, and untold brilliance. This project is not just about images it is about dignity, identity, and giving people the power to be seen.”

With Venice of Africa, Damilola Fowosire stands at the forefront of a new wave of Nigerian visual storytelling one that centres empathy, truth, and the power of possibility.