Nuku Studio

Nuku Studio Nuku Studio is a space, an institution, a community providing an innovative support system for artistic and professional photographic practice.

Nuku Studio is a Ghana based organisation established by photographer Nii Obodai. Nuku Studio builds on more than two decades of experience in photography practice from a growing network of photographers and creative institutions, worldwide. Through commissions, collaborations and partnerships, Nuku Studio’s core mission is to develop solutions that support photography as an artistic practice, as

a means of research and as a sustainable business. We offer support through critical photography education and mentorship, consultancy and project management service. Check out our podcast series 'Contact Sheets': https://soundcloud.com/contactsheets

This past week, the Ummy Relief Foundation, in collaboration with students from Kalpohini SHS and Northern School of Bus...
03/07/2025

This past week, the Ummy Relief Foundation, in collaboration with students from Kalpohini SHS and Northern School of Business, held a Plastic Arts Painting workshop at Nuku Studio – Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale.

This workshop is part of the Eco Plastic Week 2025 led by Alhassan Salifu Suale.

The event showcased student artworks that creatively tackled the issue of plastic pollution. It was inspiring to see how participants used painting not only as a form of expression but as a call to action for a cleaner, more sustainable Ghana.

is based in Tamale and aims to engage young minds in environmental topics such as plastic pollution through visual art in the northern region of Ghana.

At Nuku Studio we are happy to host events like this so don’t hesitate to send us a DM or email us at [email protected]

Photo Credit:

“Sweet is always the “best choice””!Meet the Artist: Efo Sela is a Ghanaian multi-disciplinary artist, photographer, an...
28/06/2025

“Sweet is always the “best choice””!
Meet the Artist:

Efo Sela is a Ghanaian multi-disciplinary artist, photographer, and scholar whose work explores the intersections of visual anthropology, African identities, cultural memory, and aesthetics. With an academic background in Communication Design, African Art, and a PhD in African Studies, Efo uses photography as both a research methodology and a medium for critical visual storytelling.

As Head of the Multimedia Production Department at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), he mentors students in digital imaging, conceptual and documentary photography, screen printing, and visual research ethics. He is also the founder of Grin Studios Limited, an art consultancy connecting creatives, researchers, and cultural institutions through projects in museum studies, art exhibitions, and design pedagogy.

Efo Sela’s current exhibition, Sweet Is Always the Best Choice, currently on display at Nuku Studio – Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale embodies these interdisciplinary interests. The project was created in collaboration with PEAFI and students from four basic schools in Tamale: UDS Basic School, Woribogu JHS, SDA JHS, and Christ Apostolic School Complex.

The exhibition investigates the everyday visibility of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in school environments, revealing how taste preferences, affordability, and economic necessity shape the decisions of students, vendors, and even teachers.

Through this exhibition, Efo Sela explores everyday African life and visual culture, encouraging viewers to think about how food choices, consumer habits, and local traditions shape community life today.

The exhibition is open until July 28. Come see it for yourself during our opening hours from Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm!

Photo Credit:

Today on Between Nuku’s Covers, we’re diving into a book that turns photography into play. In The Photographer’s Playboo...
27/06/2025

Today on Between Nuku’s Covers, we’re diving into a book that turns photography into play. In The Photographer’s Playbook, Jason Fulford and Gregory Halpern offer 307 creative photography assignments and ideas designed to spark hands-on exploration, whether you’re flying solo or teaming up with a group.

With contributions from photography legends like John Baldessari, Tina Barney, and Stephen Shore, this book is a treasure trove of different ways to approach image-making — from the deeply conceptual to the spontaneous.

Fulford brings his sharp, conceptual eye as both a photographer and publisher, while Halpern’s work captures the layered stories of American landscapes and communities. Together, they’ve created a guide that’s as much about seeing differently as it is about creating.

Martha from our Nuku Team, shared how much she liked Allen Frame’s assignment in the book, where students host and film their own house parties. She pointed out how it’s not just about the pictures — it’s about breaking the ice, creating genuine social connections, and how that openness makes creative critique more meaningful and honest.

As beginners, intermediates, or seasoned photographers, we’re always learning. Assignments and creative prompts like these can give us that fresh idea or the little push we need to reignite our creative spark and build a working routine.

— we’d love to hear from you! What’s the best photography assignment you’ve ever done or given yourself? What exercise helped you grow, or what project are you currently working on? Drop your ideas and stories in the comments.
Let’s inspire each other. Come visit Nuku’s library from Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm to explore the Photographer’s Playbook.

We are pleased to introduce our fifth “Faces behind the lens”: Isabel Abreu whom we featured in our 12th Nuku Photo Voc...
20/06/2025

We are pleased to introduce our fifth “Faces behind the lens”: Isabel Abreu whom we featured in our 12th Nuku Photo Vocab “the pace”.

Isabel Abreu is a visual artist living between Portugal and Ghana.
She captures everyday life with her photography, drawings, paintings, collages and animations. Isabel thinks there is inspiration everywhere only if one is open to see it.
In Ghana, she experiences both joy and beauty, alongside significant health and environmental challenges. In addition to being an artist, Isabel is also involved in environmental projects.

Here she shares some thoughts with us…. “I started taking pictures — though I’m not sure I’d call it doing photography — when I moved to Accra. I just thought it would be great to capture all the life around me: the people, the activities, and the constant movement of the city. At first, I used the photos as references for my drawings, and later for digital collages. I take pictures every day with my phone. I’d never leave home without it — mainly because of the camera.
Small stills of life can carry so many lessons and for me, one of them is about feeling. I photograph things, moments, objects, light, interactions… anything that stirs something in me, something I don’t need to rationalize.
Photography has become part of my everyday rhythm. I always come back home with phone pictures — slices of life, quick moments, passing interactions. Some might end up as references for paintings or collages, but most are just moments I want to hold onto. Still, I believe that in one way or another, all of it eventually finds its way into my work.”
Photo credit

”Sweet is Always the best choice” - isn’t it?! Last week we enjoyed the successful opening of our new exhibition “Sweet ...
14/06/2025

”Sweet is Always the best choice” - isn’t it?!

Last week we enjoyed the successful opening of our new exhibition “Sweet is Always the ‘Best Choice’” at Nuku Studio - Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale.

This research photo exhibition explores the growing presence of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in the everyday lives of school children. Through his photographs, alongside images taken by pupils from four schools in Tamale, Efo Sela invites us to take a closer look at what’s often viewed as harmless or even comforting—brightly packaged snacks, sweet drinks, and quick, convenient bites that have quietly become part of school routines.

More than just a visual reflection, this exhibition aims to be interactive, inviting visitors to share their thoughts, questions, and personal experiences throughout the space. It’s a conversation about choice, habit, and how certain foods and practices have come to feel ‘normal’ in and around our schools.

We want to thank everyone who came through Nuku’s doors for the opening. Your time is much appreciated. A special thank you to the artist and curator and the team for carefully planning and putting together this exhibition in just a few days.

And last but not least we thank all partners and sponsors especially PEAFI and Grin Studios for making this exhibition possible.

Finally, to those who couldn’t make it to the opening of the exhibition - don’t worry the exhibition will stay on until July! We are happy to welcome you at Nuku Studio from Tuesday to Saturday at 11am-6pm!

Photo credits .photography
***
Exhibition in Tamale
Sweet is Always the Best Choice
02.06 - 28.07.2025

Artists
Efo Sela in partnership with pupils of Woribogu JHS, UDS Basic School, Christ Apostolic School Complex & SDA JHS (Tamale)

Sponsors
Grin Studios
Bill & Melinda Gates foundation
Immana
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
University of Bristol
University of Ghana
University of Greenwich
University for Development Studies
SOAS, University of London

PEAFI Research Team
Dr. Fiorella Picchioni
Prof. Paul Nkegbe
Dr. Sara Stevano
Dr. Christopher Turner
Dr. Iddrisu Azindow Yakubu
Dr. Gyinadu Abubakar

We’re excited to share a new NUKU PHOTO VOCAB this time talking about “amateur photography”.Amateur photography is often...
06/06/2025

We’re excited to share a new NUKU PHOTO VOCAB this time talking about “amateur photography”.

Amateur photography is often overlooked or dismissed because it doesn’t carry the title of “professional,” but it’s an equally important genre in its own right. It exists for personal enjoyment, for creativity, for the simple pleasure of observing and documenting the world through your own eyes. It’s a space without pressure, where learning, exploration, and curiosity take the lead — something even seasoned professionals might need to be reminded of from time to time….

At its core, amateur photography preserves memories and documents history, often in deeply personal and intimate ways that professional photographers might never have access to. It can capture small, fleeting moments, ordinary scenes, and personal experiences that form the quiet, beautiful texture of everyday life.

Beyond documentation, it can be therapeutic — a calming, meditative activity that allows people to reflect on their surroundings and themselves. In many ways, it becomes a visual diary, a record of emotions, spaces, events, and cultures as experienced firsthand.

What makes amateur photography especially relevant is its freedom. Free from strict rules and commercial expectations, it often drives fresh perspectives, new ideas, and innovative approaches. It offers a space where people can experiment, take risks, and create without the weight of expectation. This is where new talents emerge and where the language of photography can evolve.

So it’s important to remember: just because your photographs don’t look like the iconic works of James Barnor, Samuel Fosso, or Malick Sidibé doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable.

Your photography matters. Your point of view matters. The images you create — however simple, however imperfect — are part of a larger, ongoing conversation about how we see ourselves and the world.

Keep experimenting. Keep capturing what matters to you. Listen to critique when it helps you grow, but never lose the freedom and energy that comes from photographing for yourself. That spirit is what keeps photography alive and moving forward.

Photo credits: Aslam Muhib

Nuku Studio is proud to announce that we’re now part of the Google Arts & Culture platform!Alongside an incredible colle...
29/05/2025

Nuku Studio is proud to announce that we’re now part of the Google Arts & Culture platform!

Alongside an incredible collection of organisations, institutions, and initiatives across the continent, our page officially launched a few days ago in celebration of .

This collaboration is part of Google’s initiative to highlight and celebrate Africa’s rich heritage and vibrant contemporary culture, with over 60 cultural institutions contributing stories, exhibitions, and artworks that showcase the diversity and creativity of the continent.

Visit our page — link in bio — to explore our latest projects and learn more about Nuku Studio’s exhibitions, photo stories, and visual narratives. Scroll through our stories for highlights, and stay tuned as we continue to grow this space.

This platform is not only a place to share recent work but to build a living archive for Nuku Studio, for the in Tamale, Ghana, and for audiences worldwide.

And this is just the beginning.

They’re back! Our beloved Nuku Bags have finally returned — and yes, the wait was long, but it’s over now. It’s been suc...
29/05/2025

They’re back! Our beloved Nuku Bags have finally returned — and yes, the wait was long, but it’s over now. It’s been such a joy to see so many of you out and about with them, whether at school, the market, work, or on your travels.

To mark the moment, we’ve introduced a brand new design that proudly highlights our Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale.

Now we want to know — where do you take your Nuku Bag? Send us a photo of you and your bag in action. Whether it’s a daily routine or a new adventure, we’d love to see it. Let’s find out together just how far our Nuku Bags are going.

If you don’t have one yet, no problem. Stop by Nuku Studio - Center for Photographic Research and Practice or send us a direct message. We’d be happy to get one into your hands.

Photo credits: .photography

Models: Charles Chukwuemeka Edeh Emeka, Sackitey Tesa , Sulemana Hajara Madiya

Tamale it’s only a few days until we close “Home Through Participation” with works of the Akutso collective at Nuku Stud...
27/05/2025

Tamale it’s only a few days until we close “Home Through Participation” with works of the Akutso collective at Nuku Studio - Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale!

We conclude with our last artist highlight: Ofoli Kwei and his photo series “We are unknown”.

So what do you know about basketball?

In “We are unknown” Ofoli Kwei highlights the untold stories of Ghana’s basketball ecosystem which hasn’t received much attention from politicians and the media resulting in scarce government funding even though basketball is the second most played sport in Ghana. In his portrait series, Ofoli Kwei, captures stories of players, fans and sheds light on those often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Each photograph reveals that basketball is more than a sport - it’s about identity, community and ultimately about belonging and feeling home.About the artist

Ofoli Kwei is an Accra based photographer who believes that sports is a powerful force to lead positive change, shape identities and create opportunities.

In his own words:
“Beyond the court, sports tell stories of passion, resilience and community. Through my lens, I capture the heartbeat of Ghana’s basketball culture-celebrating the players, fans and moments that inspire change. Every image is a reflection of hope, identity and the power of the game.

For the remaining days of May, “Home Through Participation” is on display at Nuku Studio. Visit us from Tuesday-Saturday (11am-6pm)! Photo credit (1, 2) (3) (4)



Accra it’s your last chance to see the photo exhibition “KAYANMATA” at the Nima Maamobi Community Learning Center.“KAYAN...
26/05/2025

Accra it’s your last chance to see the photo exhibition “KAYANMATA” at the Nima Maamobi Community Learning Center.

“KAYANMATA” is a collaborative photo exhibition exploring women’s expectations, desires, and the everyday ethics of womanhood, relationships, and agency in Nima, Accra by anthropologist Ann Cassiman and photographer Fibi Afloe.

The exhibition runs only for one more week until May 30th, 2025 at Nima Maamobi Community Learning Center right next to the Ghana National Mosque. The exhibition is open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM.

If you haven’t visited yet stop by on any day between 11 am to 5 pm!
Also, note that the photographer, Fibi Afloe will be present - the perfect chance to ask your questions and find out more about “Kayanmata”!

Photo credits:
***
Exhibition in Accra
Kayanmata
26.04 – 30.05.2025

Researchers
Fibi Afloe /
Ann Cassiman

Produced by
Nii Obodai and Ann Cassiman

“From Coast to Coast” by Désiré Eli-Zafoe is a moving photo collage series that tells the stories of people living along...
24/05/2025

“From Coast to Coast” by Désiré Eli-Zafoe is a moving photo collage series that tells the stories of people living along the shoreline — from Ada, Elmina, Keta, Anyanui, to Accra. It’s part of our ongoing “Home Through Participation” exhibition by the Akutso Collective, currently showing at Nuku Studio – Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale.

Drawing on personal family history, oral traditions, and local wisdom, Désiré’s work invites viewers to experience the beauty, struggle, and identity of coastal communities — far beyond what the eye can see.

Since 2019, Désiré has been documenting this journey. Alongside the collages, he presents the short documentary Anomansa, which revisits the oral history of Elmina, once known as Anomansa, and the legend of Kwaa Mankwa, who discovered the town after following the Benya stream. The film takes viewers on a present-day journey through Elmina, connecting the past and present through memory and place.

With fishing nets hanging in the space, the exhibition brings the spirit of the sea right into Tamale — a city without a coastline, yet deeply connected through story, heritage, and resilience.

About the artist:

Désiré Eli-Zafoe is a Ghanaian filmmaker, photographer and a designer with a background in technology, marketing and communications. He has worked on Ghana’s first National Pavilion at the 58th Venice International Art Exhibition-la Biennale Di Venizia, the Mobile Museum and the Pan-African Cultural Encyclopedia projects.

Currently, Désiré is exploring filmmaking, photography and art in connection with Afro futurism mainly in Ada Foah in the Greater Accra Region and other communities along the coast. “From Coast to Coast” is more than a visual archive — it’s an invitation to remember, question, and celebrate the threads that hold our communities together.

Visit us during our opening hours Tuesday to Saturday 11am-6pm.
“Home Through Participation” will be on display until end of May. Photo credit (1, 2) .z.ray (3) (4)

Today, we’re exploring books about Bamako Encounters, a photography biennale held in Mali’s capital since 1994. As the f...
23/05/2025

Today, we’re exploring books about Bamako Encounters, a photography biennale held in Mali’s capital since 1994. As the first photography festival on the continent, it provides a space for African photographers to showcase their work, exchange ideas, and connect with an international audience.

The event is curated by Simon Njami, a an independent lecturer, curator, and art critic who curated the Bamako Encounters from 2001 until 2009.

Inside the books you can learn about the works by photographers from across the African continent like Nuku Studios founder and director Nii Obodai and Aida Muluneh, Francois Xavier Greb, Ananias D**o Léki, Yo-yo Gunthier, Mimi Cherono Ng’ok, Malick Sidibe, Jodie Bieber, Zaneli Muholi, Bruno Boudjelal - the list is long and besides African photographers each edition features European photographers from guest countries like Germany (2003), Spain (2005), and Helsinki (2007). The text are both in English and French and commentaries on photography from different curators.

We asked our team…

Martha: “I really liked the work of Samuel Fosso.” Samuel Fosso started in a photo studio, using the last frames of film to create self-portraits.

Godlive: “I read about Van Leo, an Egyptian photographer, who started with self portraiture but was advised by his father to take pictures of customers rather than himself.”

There’s much more to read about in these three editions —enough to spend a day - come visit us Tuesday - Saturday, 11 AM - 6 PM!

Address

Accra

Telephone

+233 24 296 0862

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nuku Studio posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Nuku Studio:

Shortcuts

Share