For nearly over 10 years across West, East, North, and Southern Africa, where he was welcomed into homes, studios, and everyday rituals, Reed Davis, an American photographer, have been travelling across the length and breadth of Africa, capturing her beautiful landscape, smiling faces, enthralling cultures, food, and every-day-life on camera.
Having well-documented stories and images in a book, the New York-based photographer is presenting both in an exhibition, which kicked off yesterday at Nahous Gallery, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Titles ‘Textures of Humanity’, the month-long exhibition, runs from November 15 to December 15, 2025, featuring book presentation, a private dinner and public showcase of Davis’ exciting images from across Africa that tell stories behind their scenes.
The American photographer’s debut show in Lagos is a collaboration with Chef Tolu Eros, Nahous Gallery, among other supporters, with his 156-page book ‘Textures of Humanity’: Beauty and Richness of Africa, published by Snap Collective and images on display at the exhibition as top highlights.
Speaking at a media parley heralding the exhibition, which held at Nahous Gallery, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on November 14, 2025, Davis explained that ‘Textures of Humanity’ is simply a conversation and about honouring the people and places that allowed him to see in new ways.
“It is a shared story; a reminder that beauty exists not in perfection, but in presence,” he said.
Reflecting on his experience while photographing in Nigeria, he enthused that the honesty he sees and feels doing his work, captured the essence of Textures of Humanity.
“With my camera I see and capture people and places for what they truly are. The images are not my making or through my eyes, but a product of listening, observing and letting the story unfold by itself,” he said.
He also recalled several exciting encounters in Nigeria, especially trying the food, imitating dance steps and returning back cheerful smiles to the people.
Explaining the rationale for launching the book and holding the exhibition in Lagos, considering that we travelled across the continent and could as well hold the duo event in other places, Davis confessed that he couldn’t resist the energy is Lagos,
“Coming from New York, I feel very free across all the places I have visited in Africa, but I seem more at home in Nigeria, particularly Lagos because the city has the energy that I am attracted to,” he said.
On his part, Tolu Erogbogbo, who is popularly known as Chef Eros, commended Davis for choosing Lagos and Nigeria as the city and country of launch for his book and exhibition. He pledged to support his mission, using his area of strength to elevate both Nigerian cuisines and the ideals Davis uphold at the event.
Explaining the rationale for the choice of Nahous Gallery, Tiana Kumo, events manager of the gallery, noted that they are African-focused; hence it is easy to collaborate with Reed Davis on the exhibition.
“It is all about Africa, showcasing our heritage in pictures, and promoting African culture out there. These align with our focus at Nahous Gallery,” she said.
She urged lovers of photography and art in general, art collectors and the general public to visit the gallery to view the enthralling masterpieces of life and history captured by Davis across Africa.
