Pieter Hugo (born 1976); 'Animal Handler with Ajasco, Lagos, Nigeria' (from 'Hyena & Other Men');

Pieter Hugo (born 1976) 'Animal Handler with Ajasco, Lagos, Nigeria' (from 'Hyena & Other Men'), 2007 Chromogenic print; flush-mounted, framed; accompanied by a Yossi Milo Gallery label and the photographer's studio label, signed, titled, dated, and editioned '4 of 9' in ink; this work is no. 4 from an edition of 9 plus 2 Artist's Proofs. 39 1/8 x 39 1/4 in. (99.4 x 99.7 cm.) sheet 44 x 43 1/4 in. (111.8 x 109.9 cm.) Footnotes: Provenance Yossi Milo Gallery, New York Acquired from the above by the present owner Literature Pieter Hugo, The Hyena & Other Men (Munich, 2007), n.p. Note Inspired by the real-life street scenes of Lagos, Nigeria, Pieter Hugo set out to capture the 'Gadawan Kura', or 'Hyena Handlers/Guides' as translated from the original Hausa. Hugo sought to understand these men, shrouded in mystery, whose myth was perpetuated by word-of-mouth and exacerbated by the Nigerian newspapers who described them as bank robbers, bodyguards, drug dealers, and debt collectors. In reality, this group of individuals was best designated as a small community of minstrels who traveled the surrounding area, living a nomadic life with their menagerie, which included three hyenas, four monkeys, and a few rock pythons. Hugo spent 8 days with this group, documenting them as they engaged with crowds and customers alike, peddling traditional medicinal cures. Hugo's images explore the relationship between both the animals and their 'handlers', and the exoticism of the animals as they stand out from their more urban surroundings. Rather than document the group as they entertained people in crowded spaces, Hugo intentionally requested portrait sessions with each 'handler' and their animal. After Hugo left Nigeria, he often reflected on this project since he felt that it was unresolved. Two years later, he returned and reunited with the same group of 'Gadawan Kura'. Hugo notes, 'The second trip was different. By this stage, there was a stronger personal relationship between myself and the group. We had remained in contact, and they were keen to be photographed again. The images from this journey are less formal, and more intimate.' The present work comes from Hugo's second set of portraits. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing