We Outside at Immigration Museum

Nigerian Australian analogue photographer Ayooluwatomiwa “Ibukun” Oloruntoba has focused his lens on spaces where African Australians can connect with their community. Captured on 35mm black-and-white film, exhibition We Outside offers an intimate look at Melbourne’s event spaces created for and by young African Australians – spaces of joy, kinship and cultural expression.

The phrase “we outside” is celebratory slang, embodying the shared experiences of coming together. Through a blend of photography and video, We Outside showcases not just the vibrant events in these spaces, but also the deeper significance of culturally safe environments in shaping identity and belonging.

Oloruntoba, a Melbourne-based photographer with a background in dermatology and AI, draws inspiration from the African diaspora and his own community. Gifted a point-and-shoot camera by his father in 2018, the 27-year-old is particularly inspired by African diaspora photographers he saw on a trip to the US. With work that’s observational and deeply personal, Oloruntoba describes it as about more than just documentation: “It’s about representation.”

To mark the opening of We Outside, a community viewing will be held on Friday March 14 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm (the viewing is free, but you’ll need to book in advance). The exhibition is supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants.

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