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Jenevieve Aken
Jenevieve Aken is a Nigerian photograph known for her documentary photographs, self-portraits, urban portraits, and cultural and social issues. Widely known for her presence at the Lagos Photo Festival, she often focuses on her personal experiences and social issues surrounding gender roles. Aken also plays the role of a model in her self portrait works. Aken currently resides in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Masked Women
This is a black and white, self-portrait series meant to depict women and their social roles in Nigerian culture. The images depict the peace and self-fulfillment of a women without the stigmatized overarching views of women in a Nigerian culture. The images also explore how women can feel constrained by the stereotypes of what a "proper women" should act like in society. These photos are meant to exemplify women who have broken these stigmas but feel isolated by the norms of the society. In this series Aken hopes to inspire Nigerian women to practice their freedom regardless of external stereotypes.

Handy Hands
This photo series documents women in Berlin, Germany as they struggle to fit into "specified" roles of women in society. The images show a series of women pursuing careers that historically men have dominated. The women in the photos feel strongly about their career and are confident in the work they are doing regardless of the gender gap.

Great Expectations
Inspired by Charles Dicken's, Great Expectaions, Akens created this series to illustrate the pressures on women, specifically African, to get married. Akens attempts to show how even the most successful women can feel unsuccessful until they are married due to social pressures.

Monankim
This photo series by Aken is based on a tradition ritual called Monankim that originates from the Bakor minority tribes. Monankim is a tradition in the Bakor culture that circumcises women and then celebrated as it is a symbol of entering womanhood. This tradition is seen as a right of passage and a woman is idolized after completing the process. This tradition is highly controversial as the process is dangerous and life-threatening. Aken documents the opposing views of Monankim by women in the society. While some see the process as exciting, others feel hesitant toward the idea.

Community and Courage
This photo series is set at a beach called Takwa Bay which is a popular place for refugees who swim and surf. Takwa Bay is known for allowing wide ranges of people to interact. The photos in this series depict how community and courage are both required in sports as the photos show children playing together regardless of societal background.

Exhibitions
"2012 - LagosPhoto Festival "SEVEN DAYS IN THE LIFE OF LAGOS" Nigeria."

"2014 - Femme Fatale "DECONSTRUCTING THE POLITICS OF SEXUALITY" Nigeria."

"2014 - Joburg Art Fair, South Africa."

"2014 - LagosPhoto Festival "STAGING REALITY DOCUMENTING FICTION" Nigeria."

"2015 - Photographic Museum of Humanity - Online Exhibition."

"2015 - Grid CapeTown Biennale, South Africa."

"2016 - Rush Art Gallery / LagosPhoto Festival "FIND US ON THE MAP" Chelsea, NYC."

"2016 - LagosPhoto Festival "RITUALS & PERFORMANCE" Nigeria."

"2017 - Art Meet Camera "CLOSER THAN EVER" CapeTown, South Africa."