GÒKÈ

Some of our wonderful guests shared their thoughts on the exhibition with us 💬 #GOKEPresents #EmilyNkanga

Relive the opening night of our exhibition, Unyọñ Ufọk by Emily Nkanga An evening celebrating art, culture, and community. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to our generous sponsors for making it all possible. #GOKEPresents #EmilyNkanga

Alongside written reflections, we asked a few of our guests who gathered to celebrate the opening of Unyọñ Ufọk, what ‘home’ means to them. #GOKEPresents #EmilyNkanga

Unyọñ Ufọk by Emily Nkanga - installation view. Having returned to Akwa Ibom, for her father’s funeral, Nkanga explores the intricacies of her local community, generating a series of still and moving images that explore everyday life in Akwa Ibom. Exploring the theme of grief during this time and making considerations for how the experience has shaped her reality and prepared her for what exists beyond the concept of mourning. This exhibition curated by Nnena Maxine Odumodu, invites the audience to explore the familiar and universal experience of returning to a time, a place or even a sensation. The act of “going home” can be more than one’s physical presence, it is often a return to a feeling, a memory, to spaces that have shaped our beings. The work was first published as a photo book earlier this year, and the book is now held in the library collections of the Tate and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The exhibition was kindly supported by @nosakhari and designed by Lottie Toon. #GOKEPresents #EmilyNkanga

‘Unyọñ Ufọk’ opens this week at Purist Gallery in London. The exhibition runs October 10–11 and the opening is free to attend (RSVP in @emilynkanga bio). Unyọñ Ufọk (which means “Going Home” in Ibibio) is a deeply personal project by Nigerian photographer and filmmaker Emily Nkanga, created in Akwa Ibom after returning home for her father’s funeral. Through portraits of musicians, boxers, community members, and moments of commemoration, Nkanga documents everyday life while reflecting on grief and belonging. First published as a photobook earlier this year – and now held in the @tate and @vamuseum collections – the work offers an intimate view of Akwa Ibom’s cultural and social fabric while exploring a concept of going home. Last November, Emily presented the project in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, at the Ibibio Union Museum – a homecoming exhibition that was attended by many members of local communities, including Idara Udoette of the Akwa Ibom State boxing team (picture #4). 📍 Purist Gallery, 114 King’s Cross Road, London, WC1X 9DS 📅 10–11 October | 🕣 10am–6pm 🎟️ Free entry — RSVP for the opening The book has received wonderful coverage — many thanks to everyone who helped share it: @loeildelaphotographie @zammagazine @phoblographer @nowahalamag @royalphotographicsociety @fstopmagazine @aboutphotographyblog @malimbeafrica @allaboutphotocom . Please come and say hi to Emily. #UnyọñUfọk #EmilyNkanga

Unyọñ Ufọk [translation: Going Home] explores grief, identity, and home. Through analog photographs shot on Mamiya RZ 67 and Olympus OM2, Emily Nkanga captures fleeting moments of everyday life in her hometown of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. The images act as a time capsule, preserving the beauty of life’s transient moments. Now shipping worldwide, link in bio 📦🌎 #GOKEBooks #nkangaarchive

🚨 PREORDER: Unyọñ Ufọk by Emily Nkanga Nkanga’s debut photo book explores her peculiar relationship with her roots through tradition, the fleeting beauty of everyday moments and the essence of human life. Together, they form a visual diary of navigating a period of grief in a space that felt both familiar and new. It’s a celebration of being grounded in the moment, even when everything around us seems to change. 200 limited-edition copies, each crafted with love and a keen attention to detail. 📦 Shipping in March, now available to preorder. Link in bio 🔗

An inspiring story of determination, following a local Nigerian boxing club’s dedication to success. Reaching For Gold is now streaming.

🟠 Premiering: ‘𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅’ watch in the #linkinbio Reaching for Gold tells the story of a local youth boxing club in Nigeria and how two coaches - one a former Olympian - dedicate their time, money and skills to take youths off the streets and into the ring. Their successes are highlighted through the only two women boxers they have trained so far. Director - @emilynkanga Exec Producers - @studiogoke Producer - @wearetosand Director of Photography - @you.be.ok 1st Assistant Director - @mbiedabasi Editor - @treebenchfilms Sound Designer - @zainahkl Colour - @aiden_.tobin 2nd Unit Camera - @koffiekufre Drone Pilots - @wiziofficial & @your_sky_eyes Soundtrack - @davinaoriakhi & @preye_itams

Thank you to everyone who came to our preview for ‘Reaching For Gold’. See you at the public screenings in Accra 🇬🇭, London 🇬🇧 & Kigali 🇷🇼 next week!

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Welcome (again) to GÒKÈ ⏳