Christina Nwabugo was born in in Shoreditch, East London, into a family of Nigerian descent and, from a young age, largely-self-taught, she started taking pictures, documenting her life and friends. As an art director at Getty Images, her mandate has been to champion Black and Brown photographers and filmmakers, aiming to diversify an industry that has traditionally been dominated by heterosexual, white individuals. Nwabugo’s own photographs focus on narratives of representation and inclusivity, documenting how individuals from the African Diaspora live and work within nature.
Photographer Christina Nwabugo was born in in Shoreditch, East London, into a family of Nigerian descent. Largely self-taught, her passion for photography has deep roots. Her great-grandfather, a notable medium format photographer in Nigeria, documented the family during the Biafran period with self-portraits and captivating images, while her grandmother and mother also significantly influenced her artistic journey, encouraging her to utilise the paintbrush and camera to express her innate creativity. From a young age, Nwabugo started taking pictures, documenting the life and friends around her. This early interest subsequently evolved into a thriving career, with her gaining a position as an art director at Getty Images, where her mandate was to champion Black and Brown photographers and filmmakers, aiming to diversify an industry that has traditionally been dominated by heterosexual, white individuals.
Nwabugo’s own photographs focus on narratives of representation and inclusivity. In an interview, she described her work as being, ‘about nature and the communities that surround it’ (Adobe Stock Artist Spotlight). For Nwabugo, the natural world is a source of both inspiration and peace, and she has stated that ‘The narrative in the natural world is definitely how people and landscape are seen as one — we're not separate. I think we are biodiversity and human life synchronised’ (ID Vice). Through her lens, she aspires to explore how members of the African Diaspora live and work within nature. Nwabugo's deep connection to her subjects and their environment is evident in her vivid and lush work, characterised by warmth and a closeness of subjects. As a freelancer, her photography journey has taken her to various destinations, including Jamaica, Gambia and Senegal, and she often depicts her subjects wandering through the forest, relaxing amid expanses of tropical vegetation, or surrounded by elements of nature in their own homes, radiating ‘ease and intimacy’ (Rose Sharp 2022). However, Nwabugo avoids referring to the people in her photographs as 'subjects', aiming for a deeper connection. She believes that such a label makes it seem as if she is placing them beneath her. In her work, she underscores the importance of reciprocal interaction and learning, asserting that this shared respect and insight ‘transcends into beautiful images which complement their story’ (Angelos 2021). This approach is exemplified by the series she took in Mauritius for the Vision Le Morne group, an NGO based in the southern part of the country, dedicated to conserving the culture and heritage of the indigenous communities in the region. Among these photographs is Boutique Garden Mauritius (2021), characterised by deep, earthy hues, with two local farmers proudly showcasing their harvest. Lush plants glow in the sunlight filtering through the foliage overhead, all set against a fabricated background, this juxtaposition of the natural and the artificial creating a near-cinematic visual arrangement.
Nwabugo is also inspired by the melting pot of cultures in London, especially how they intertwine and offer unique shopping experiences. Although she grew up in Shoreditch, she has always been drawn to the vibrant energy of nearby Dalston market. The lively haggling over produce, the musical backdrop, Rastafarians relaxing, and people braiding hair in shaded corners, deeply resonated with her., inspiring her to portray these scenes, emphasising the significance of truly representing her roots and the close-knit community in which she grew up.
Nwabugo has showcased her work in several exhibitions, notably a group show at the Home Gallery by Ronan Mckenzie (2021), where she presented a compelling self-portrait, titled Seed, alongside works by other diaspora artists/photographers such as Ejatu Shaw and Jennie Baptiste. Nwabugo has been commissioned by renowned brands including Tiffany & Co, I-D, Virgin EMI, The Nue Co, and Hunger, among others. She has also collaborated with Adobe Stock on three projects: one focusing on self-care through gardening at home, another highlighting an eco-dye group, and the third, featuring a family in Lufasi Nature Park, Lagos, Nigeria. Her work is not currently represented in UK public collections.