In the 1960s, he was the photographer of the Independence of Republic of Niger, capturing the spirit of freedom, hope and carelessness of an entire generation. Philippe has acquired a great reputation which has largely crossed the borders of Niger. Numerous exhibitions and publications have been dedicated to him. Highlighted by French publication Revue Noire and by French-Nigerien organisation Contrechamps, his work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions and continues to influence African photographers.
He was born in Togo, moved to Benin and at 17 years of age he migrated to Niger until his time of death.
Philippe Koudjina passed away on May 29, 2014.
To continue to promote his work, it was decided by the Koudjina family, to explore the multitude of his unpublished photographs, to restore them in the respect of the hard conditions they have been through and to offer them to institutional and private collectors. It is the choice of the Koudjina family that new photographs will be “Fine Art” quality prints, in inkjet printing on Hahnemühle paper, done by the Fotodart workshop of David Attal and Hervé Pain in Paris, France.