The project came to fruition amidst the #EndSARS movement of 2020. Supporters called for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Police notorious for citizen abuse in Nigeria. A viral video allegedly showing SARS officers killing a young man sparked a series of mass protests. Protesters were met with violence, and unarmed demonstrators were shot at Lekki Toll Bridge.
In this photobook, Obasi pays homage to the power of Nigerian protest, to resilience and resistance. Obasi told Dazed the photo book is “an ode to the Queer minority community in Nigeria and young Nigerians who stood up against police brutality and political corruption.” Collaborating with Louis Vuitton, Obasi aims to provoke us to think deeper about how (or if) art can inspire change within the political landscape globally.
Released a few years after these events, the country's youth and queer community suffer at the hands of the state. Yet as the presidential election approaches, the strength of resistance and community, displayed beautifully by Obasi, could pave the way to fairer futures. We caught up with him to learn more about this project and the communities that inspired it.