At Amah Members Club, Lagos: Interview with Daniel Obasi

There’s something alchemically exciting about Amah – a new members’ club, co-working space and interdisciplinary meeting place for Lagos’ creative class (opening October 20, 2024). It was founded by photographer, art director and stylist Daniel Obasi, known for his book Nice resistancereleased as part of Louis Vuitton’s Fashion Eye series. The volume offers a visually arresting narrative about Nigeria’s queer community and recent youth-led protests against institutional violence.

With Amah, Obasi further expands his thesis of a community-oriented movement, aiming to create a physical environment where inspiration, calling and miracles can come together. We sat down with him to find out more.

How Amah came to life in Lagos

(Image credit: Adaeze Ihebom)

Wallpaper*: Why was it important for you to open Amah and why now?

Daniel Obasi: In December 2022, I felt stuck about Lagos. I had done a lot of nice things, a lot of projects, but I didn’t really see myself in the Lagos area anymore. And it felt like everyone was leaving. We were doing a location scout when I first saw the space [the top floor of the landmark Eleganza Tower]. Then I went home and said to my friend, “I have seen one of the most beautiful places in Lagos.” And because I am a visual person and have foresight, I can tell what the room could look like if it was done well . My friends convinced me and said, “You can do it.” I wasn’t sure if I could afford it because it was on an all-encompassing budget because it needed so many renovations. And I didn’t think I could do it alone. But my friend said, “But you always said you wanted community.” And maybe that’s God’s way of telling you that it’s time to start the community you’ve always talked about.”

W*: What is your vision for the creative community of Lagos and what role will Amah play?

DO: So my vision is that I want to give people the opportunity to find themselves in this space. And while we say it’s a members’ club, we don’t mean membership in the sense that we’re trying to be elitist. It’s more about making sure that we know who you are and that we can vouch that this is a good person to associate with the space. We want you to be vulnerable in this area because part of being an artist is being vulnerable. We want people to be able to talk about their problems and be honest and have honest conversations with others. And in order for you to do that, we need to ensure that your interests are also protected and supported.

“I want people to be able to see themselves in the room”
Daniel Obasi

W*: Why did you choose Lagos Island and in particular the Elena building?

DO: I think coincidence and fate played a role. I just stumbled upon it. The building is by Cappa and D’Alberto [a noted construction and design company that has been operating in Nigeria since 1934] and they have very discerning taste because this building is a miracle. A lot of my work overlaps with the island of Lagos. In the Louis Vuitton book I shot mostly on rooftops and abandoned buildings on Lagos Island and Ebute Metta. There is an image in the book that speaks of the announcement of a movement. That’s what Nice resistance that’s what it’s about. And I think that’s what Amah is becoming, so maybe the book was a taste of what I’m creating.

Amah interior

(Image credit: Daniel Obasi.)

W*: Can you tell us about the collaborators you chose for the design aspect of the space?

DO: Roosevelt Amase, Uche Uba, Christina Nwabugo – these are the people I work with on every project of my life! But it’s more about the people who exist in my space. It’s like an extended family. I feel like my secret weapon when it comes to ideation is actually having conversations, and we have a lot. Many of the things we have created are made from recycled materials and waste, and we source old furniture from warehouses that we can either repurpose or redesign. We repainted some original calabash gourds and stools in our cobalt blue color just to see how interesting that would be. We have also designed pieces such as lamps, chairs and sofas made by artisans; And yes, you can order from Amah Artisanal. Our artisans are spread all over Lagos. The craft market here needs more structure in terms of training and we just try to guide them as best we can. But because we want this space to feel as experimental as possible, it’s very important to think of these pieces as experiments too.

Amah interior

(Image credit: Daniel Obasi.)

W*: You are best known as a photographer, but you have also had many other lives: graphic designer, stylist, visual artist, filmmaker, furniture designer. Is refusing to be defined as one thing something you bring to the Amah essence?

DO: Absolutely. We only have one life. Amah only has one life and she will live it to the fullest. My friends describe Amah as a diva, she gets and does exactly what she wants, so Amah is not afraid to take on many roles. I wore an architectural hat for this. I have never designed a building in my life and designed and renovated everything myself – working with a contractor and engineers who let me know what was possible. And I make mistakes too and I’m okay with making mistakes. I think I can actually design a house now. My mother says I act like the extra spices you add to your food at the last minute when you’re not sure, and then that’s the flavor you bring into the room. I think that’s what really defines my talent.

Amah interior

(Image credit: Daniel Obasi.)

W*: What is planned for your opening and is it tied to a theme?

DO: Our opening program is very interesting. We are launching a campaign called “Amah Loves You”. Amah Loves You with Daniel Obasi and friends. It’s a rollout that includes short clips and everything will be incorporated into our Amah cocktails. We try to embody the retro feel that we think Amah is really about. The whole thing of going to house parties, somewhere where you can have nice conversations, and that’s what we want to bring back. We will also have cocktail editorials that look pretty and retro in glasses. And the last thing we do is the launch itself, which is an art exhibition of the space.

“We want you to be vulnerable in this area because part of being an artist is being vulnerable.”
Daniel Obasi

Amah interior

(Image credit: Daniel Obasi.)

W*: Is Amah’s integrative mission because people often feel judged? How important is it to you to be an ally to all communities?

DO: It’s definitely part of it, Amah is very comprehensive; Already in the campaign we are trying to make it clear that everyone is welcome here. For the co-working space, we try to structure it in packages, so you can pay for a three-month package and for a one-month package. And the idea is that as a colleague you are a member here. I feel like life is changing. Where you are today does not mean you will be there for the rest of your life. Maybe you’re someone who can afford to come here for a month, and tomorrow you’re someone who can afford to stay here all year.

Amah interior

(Image credit: Daniel Obasi.)

W*: Can you share with us some of the programs you have created for the club?

DO: Part of the inspiration for Amah was the original communal spaces I created [came across] as I burst into the scene: Stranger Lagos [a pioneering design-led concept store] and Café Neo. Stranger belonged to Yegwa Ukpo and people were always coming and the door was always open. I could come in and just be. So we have Amah Conversations, a podcast and video where we invite people to sit down and have conversations; There is no host. We, the team, have put together some questions like a deck of cards and you answer randomly. We had shot our first episode [with] Yegwa and Adeju Thompson from the Lagos Space Program [a non-binary, luxury design project]. It was important that I open this thing right, so I had to pay homage to the OG of community building.

Blue vessels

(Image credit: Daniel Obasi.)

W*: Do you see Amah expanding beyond its building?

DO: It’s so funny because the meaning of “amah” in Igbo when you really break it down is “a communal space for gathering” so every individual comes from an “amah”. Our name also comes from “amamihe”, which means “wisdom”. So “Amamihe” means to know, to understand, and that is why our slogan is “a space for gathering and knowing”. I can see Amah expanding beyond the building because we care deeply about community development. Our programs are already design, research and materials oriented. It’s about figuring out why certain problems exist and finding ways to fix them. We are still developing what we can initially explore as outreach. We have a really small team and there is quite a lot to do, but we believe we can do it.

Amah opens October 20, 2024, danielobasi.com

(Image credit: Daniel Obasi.)

How Amah came to life in Lagos

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