Nigerian artist Mariuscarl Ene uses black-and-white double exposure photography to explore the interplay of identity, memory, and transformation. Through stark contrasts and layered imagery, Ene reveals the silent conversations we have with ourselves—the moments of doubt, the search for clarity, and the tension between who we have been and who we are becoming.

Each composition is a meeting point of light and darkness, presence and absence. Faces blur and overlap, silhouettes dissolve into their own reflections, and shadows stretch beyond the frame, echoing the way we navigate our inner complexities.

"Self & Shadow is a visual dialogue between the different versions of myself: the seen and unseen, the past and present, the restrained and the liberated.

Through double exposure and stark contrasts, I bring these internal conversations to the surface. The layering of images reflects the ways in which we move through life carrying multiple identities—some we embrace, others we resist. In each piece, light and shadow merge, mirroring the tension between self-acceptance and self-doubt, between who we are and who we are becoming.

This series is not just about duality; it is about integration. It is about learning to sit with every fragment of ourselves—the graceful, the uncertain, the flawed—and finding beauty in that complexity. In embracing all parts of me, I hope to invite others to do the same."

-MariusCarl Ene (Featured Artist)

"This work was built through layers—just like we are. I started with portrait photography, working with a single muse in various poses and states of expression. Each shot was composed with the intention of movement, restraint, or introspection, reflecting the emotional complexity I wanted to convey.

I then used a double exposure technique to merge these moments, creating compositions where the figure appears fragmented, multiplied, or suspended between states. This process wasn’t just aesthetic; it was psychological. The overlaps represent the coexistence of different identities—the past self, the present self, the self we hide, the self we embrace. The contrast between black and white heightens this duality, reinforcing the tension between what is seen and what remains in the dark."

"Symbolism played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of this series. Elements like flowers, threads, and silhouettes were used to represent transformation, connection, and the subconscious mind. Some pieces embody the struggle of self-acceptance, while others capture the moment of surrender—when we finally embrace all that we are, even the parts we once rejected.

Ultimately, Self & Shadow is not about choosing between light and dark—it’s about recognizing that we are both. That our contradictions, our hidden selves, our shifting identities, all belong. Through this process, I found that even the shadows hold beauty, and I hope this collection invites you to see that within yourself as well.

Thank you for being here and for allowing these pieces to speak to you."

- Mariuscarl Ene (Featured Artist)