Sunmi Smart-Cole and the Emergence of Digital Photography in Nigeria

My research investigates the evolution of digital art in Nigeria through the pioneering contributions of Sunmi Smart-Cole, a Nigerian-Sierra Leonean photographer who bridged the analog and digital realms during a transformative era in the 1990s. A former architectural draughtsman turned photojournalist, Smart-Cole introduced digital tools to Nigerian photography, setting new standards in the field and shaping the country’s visual and political imagery. Despite his influential role, his digital legacy remains underexplored. This study repositions his work within the discourse on digital aesthetics in Africa, underscoring how early adopters like Smart-Cole laid the groundwork for contemporary digital art practices in Nigeria. 

Keywords:  Digital photography,  Nigerian art,  Sunmi Smart-Cole, Contemporary African art, Visual culture