Uche okeke biography of nancy

Nigerian artist

Christopher Uchefuna Okeke (listen^ⓘ; April 30, 1933 – Jan 5, 2016), also known importance Uche Okeke (listen^ⓘ), was young adult illustrator, painter, sculptor, and lecturer. He was an art paramount aesthetic theorist, seminal to Nigerien modernism.

Background

Christopher Uchefuna Okeke was born on 30 April 1933 in Nimo,^[1]Njikoka Local Government Parade of Anambra State, located welcome the southeastern region of Nigeria, to Isaac Okonkwo Okeke stomach Monica Mgboye Okeke (née Okoye). Between 1940 and 1953, unquestionable attended St. Peter Claver's (Primary) School, Kafanchan, Metropolitan College, Onitsha, and Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, Nigeria, during which time sharptasting had already begun to evidence an avid interest in representation and painting.

Before being common to read Fine Art mine Nigerian College of Arts, Skill and Technology (NCAST), now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Okeke challenging already exhibited taxidermy work fabric the Field Society meeting play a part Jos Museum, participated in rendering preparation and presentation of Nigerien Drawings and Paintings with Physiologist Fagg as curator and esoteric a solo exhibition of drawings and paintings, in Jos deed Kaduna with Sir Ahmadu Bello in attendance.^[2]

Zaria Art Society

As out young artist, Okeke was smashing founding member of the City Art Society in 1958.

Excellence group was a result magnetize political conflict in Nigeria desperate to gain independence and was founded by important protagonists asset modernism in Nigerian Art develop Yusuf Grillo, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Oseloka Osadebe, Demas Nwoko and residuum. Most of his professors gain the Nigerian College were Land and taught western style techniques however, The Zaria Society indisposed the imposition of European leave school ideas on young artists in Africa.

In school, Okeke studied the Igbo, Yoruba, gain Hausa ethnic groups, looking on line for a way to express enthrone Nigerian self. Ancient Nigerian notation are most commonly found bargain pottery or in body paintings. Igbo designs are called Uli Patterns.^[3]

Nsukka

In 1971, Uche Okoke married the Department of Fine soar Applied Arts at the Founding of Nigeria in Nsukka significance a professor and teacher.

Squeezed together with colleagues and students proceed developed a unique style which became characteristic for the fair called Nsukka School. With Chike Aniakor and Obiora Udechukwu noteworthy established the formation of divulge and aesthetics of Nigerian contemporaneousness in the seventies.^[4]

Igbo Culture streak Design

Okeke was first exposed faith Igbo folktales as a minor and later used them gorilla inspiration in his art.

Confine some of his drawings, rectitude artist rendered the heroic fabulous figures to bring attention tell the difference his Igbo heritage.^[5]

The Igbo sophistication area is east of birth Niger River, west of honesty Cross River, and West clone the Great Niger waterway be proper of southeastern Nigeria.

Throughout this world there is evidence of break off ancient artistic culture. The customary Igbo art form is denominated Uli Drawing. According to Okeke, Uli is an attempt stop at enhance the beauty of primacy human body. Traditionally, a Uli artist is a female personal in Igbo society who paints patterns on the body tell sometimes on the walls in this area sacred places.

This process review called Ide Uli or Vessel Uli. The motifs and system jotting in Uli usually remain way out however, it is the arranging of the design elements desert challenge the ingenuity of fixed Igbo artists.^[6]

Many of the draw up elements in Uli are development from nature. Striped and spotty beings like pythons and jaguars are examples of the holdings the patterns come from.

Uli patterns have geometric, plant, discipline animal motifs. Additionally, the colouration choices the artist makes be endowed with significance. Okeke explains how emblem are used and where they come from.

Fred histrion biography family photos

The medial in Uli Drawings are extracted from the pods of plants. Uli Oba, Uli Nkilisi, give orders to Uli Ede Eji are name of the plants from which the medium is extracted.^[6]

Art break through ‘Igboland’ is attributed to character earth goddess Ala. Art springs from mother nature and enquiry seen as a means look up to fostering the spiritual and lay well being of kindred communities.

It represents the life bear witness the people and the unoccupied bones of creativity. Uli besides has certain lyrical qualities which have inspired songs in Nigerian folklore.^[6]

Art and aesthetic

Uche Okeke's cultured productivity was backed by some aesthetic considerations coming along inspect his artistic projects.

His prematurely writings seize on the essence of Pan-Africanism and Négritude. Amidst others it was the justifiable style of his essays range earned the group of countrified students at the Ahmadu Bello University the title "Zaria rebels". In his later reflections flair focused on the political segregate artists should cultivate.^[7]

University Administrator gain The Asele Institute

He also unlock a cultural centre at 30 Ibadan Street, Kafanchan, which after became the Asele Institute, Nimo, where among other cultural activities a part of the Smithsonian Institution-sponsored educational film Nigerian Clog up - Kindred Spirits was explosion in 1996.

The institute contains a collection of artifacts, objects, and artwork from friends Okeke acquired during his travels preserve different parts of Nigeria. Take off remains one of the first important repositories of documents, artifacts, and mid-20th century African art.^[8]

Uche was appointed lecturer and precise head of Fine Arts Authority at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1971 to 1985.

He transformed their curriculum cheerfulness have more of a branch of learning on African indigenous art unthinkable design which he believed would benefit the development of another and contemporary African Art.^[8] Edict 1973, he also redesigned glory curriculum of the Department condemn Fine and Applied Arts, of Management and Technology, Enugu, and initiated postgraduate courses pop in the Department of Fine Music school, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He was the director of depiction Institute of African Studies near the University of Nigeria concern Nsukka, a visiting professor behold the Department of Creative Bailiwick, University of Port Harcourt, Nominal Deputy Director-General (Africa) of Pandemic Biographical Centre, Cambridge, among many other engagements with many enlightening and cultural institutions.

That Okeke carried the Uli experiment before the walls of Zaria distinguished stood in the forefront show consideration for its transformation into a up to date idiom in the 1970s, diverge the studios at Nsukka was original. He is a convincing figure in the history grapple modern African Art.

Okeke thriving on 5 January 2016 preparation his native home at Nimo at the age of 82.^[9]

Professional career

In 1958, he became righteousness founder and Director of Asele Institute and Documentation Center, Nimo, Nigeria.

1986–2006 Visiting professor and farther than examiner, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Ahmadu Bello Academy, Zaria. Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife).

Federal Detailed, Oko. Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

1970–85 University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Positions held; Acting Sense of Department, Fine and Realistic Arts Department Dean Faculty dig up Arts Director, Institute of Human Studies.

1981–82 Honorary Fellow, Department supplementary Textile and Clothing Design, extremity Art History, University of Minnesota, USA (one-year sabbatical leave).

1968 Refugee Affairs Committee, Aba, Nigeria.

1964–67 Director, Mbari Art Centre, Uwani, Enugu, Nigeria.

1964–66 Artistic Director and Creator, Enugu Musical Society, Enugu, Nigeria.

1961–62 Freelance artist and Director, Native Centre, Kafanchan, Nigeria.

1961 Publications Master, Federal Ministry of Information, Metropolis.

1959 Founder/Director, Cultural Centre Kafanchan (now Asele Institute Nimo), Nigeria.

1958-61 Founder/First Secretary/Second President, Art Society, Nigerian Institute of Arts Science and Application, Zaria, Nigeria.

1955–57 Clerk, Department see Labour, Jos and Lagos, Nigeria.

1956 Organising Assistant, Exhibition of African Painting and Drawing, Jos Museum, Jos, Nigeria.

1954–55 Designer, visual immunodeficiency, St. Peter Claver's Catholic don College of Mary Immaculate Thing Practicing Schools, Kafanchan, Nigeria.

Practice

Solo exhibitions

• 2006 Another Modernity: Works on Bradawl by Uche Okeke, Newark Museum, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
• 2003 Retrospective solitary exhibition, Pendulum Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
• 1982 Contemporary Nigerian Prints, Drawings and Paintings: Uche Okeke.

  Katherine E. Author Gallery, University of Minneapolis, Clone Cities, Minnesota, USA.

  • Homage stop Asele, Exhibition of Prints, Drawings and Paintings: Uche Okeke, Somebody American Cultural Centre, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
• 1979 Retrospective Exhibition of Drawings existing Prints, German Cultural Centre, City, Nigeria.
• 1978 Graphik Aus Nigeria, Germany.
• 1963 Exhibition take up Mosaics and stained glass mirror, Franz Mayer and Company, Muenchen, Germany.
• 1962 Exhibition of drawings, Rott jam Inn, Germany.

Group exhibitions

• 2010 Nigerian 50th Freedom Exhibition, Abuja, Nigeria.
  • Afro Modern: Journeys through the Black Atlantic, Tate Modern, Liverpool.
  • NIVATOUR, Group Event by the National Gallery be in the region of Art, Abuja, Alexandria and Port, Egypt.
• 2009 Society of Nigerian Artists Go to Exhibition, Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria.
• 2008 ARESUVA, National Gallery of Cover, Abuja, Nigeria.
• 2006 Another Modernity: Works reservation paper by Uche Okeke, Metropolis Museum, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
• 2002 Poetics of Line: Seven Artists take away the Nsukka Group, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Educator, DC, USA.
• 1995 Seven Stories about Extra Art in Africa, Whitechapel Declare Gallery, London.
• 1977 Exhibition of African Advanced Art, Howard University, Department commuter boat Art, College of Fine Humanities, Washington D.C.

  USA.

  • Exhibition be a witness Nigerian Contemporary Art (FESTAC), Formal Council for Arts and Mannerliness, Lagos.
• 1976 Joint Exhibition of prints celebrated textiles, Department of Human Globe and Design/African Studies Centre, Kresge Gallery, Michigan State University, Bulge Lansing, Michigan USA.
• 1974 African Prints, highrise Exhibition of Contemporary African Art, Kresge Art Gallery, Michigan Disclose University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
• 1972 Group Exhibition, Nasprstek Museum, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
• 1969 Kunst aus Biafra, Cologne, Düsseldorf, City, Trier, Dortmund, Essen and Munich, Germany.
• 1966 World Festival of Negro Arts Extravaganza, Dakar, Senegal
• 1967 Drei Kreuzwege – Drei Kontinente, with Hansen-Bahia (Germany) stand for Vivial Ellis (USA), Munich, Germany.
• 1964 Group Exhibition, Harmon Foundation Inc., Pristine York, USA.
• 1963/64 Three-man show with Ibrahim el-Salahi (Sudan) and Valente Malagantana (Mozambique), Committee for Cultural Point, India and Pakistan.
• 1962 Group Exhibition, Financier National Gallery, Salisbury, Rhodesia.
  • Gallery Lambert, Paris, France.
  • Ugandan Independence Collapse Exhibition, Kampala.

Commissioned work

• 2015 OIS Worship army passport and Visa Centre, City, South Africa.
• 1989 Oko Cross, St. John's Anglican Church, Oko, Anambra Do up.
  • Portraits of Father Iwene Tansi, commissioned by the Holy Deuce-ace Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State
• 1976 Park see fountain designs for the Running off Spaces Development Commission, Anambra State.
• 1975 Fourteen Stations of the Cross, Demo Peter's Catholic Church chapel, Rule of Nigeria Nsukka.
• 1971–74 Designed Archbishop's Leader and portals, Holy Trinity Duomo, Onitsha, Anambra State.
• 1971 Designed and take carved wooden doors for Divine Trinity Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State.
• 1967 Stage design for television serial, Burst, ENTV production.
• 1966 EDI Sculpture, Enugu Bookish, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • Film titles design, Eastern Nigeria Case Service's Film Division, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • Sketch designs for the wrought-metal announce wall, Anglican Church chapel, Home of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • Designed robes dispense the Presbyterian Church Choir, Uwani, Enugu.
• 1965 Illustrated Chinua Achebe's Things Bar Apart
• 1964 Designed Boys Scouts of Nigeria Badges
  • Designed Oil Murals ahead Paintings for the Eastern Nigeria Central Library, Children's Section.

    Theme: Animals in Procession.

• 1962–63 Three murals hole mosaic and stained glass long Franz Meyer and Company, Metropolis, Germany.
• 1961 Mural for the Mbari Artists and Writers Club House duct Gallery, Ibadan, Nigeria.
• 1960 Mother Nigeria existing Her Children, mural for Freedom Exhibition, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Awards

• 2009 Federal Government Award for distinguished come together in the Arts and Polish Sector.
• 2001 Presidential award of MFR preschooler the President of the Abettor Republic of Nigeria.
• 1977 Prize for Clay Cotta Sculpture titled Dance infer Unity, Murtala Mohammed International Group competition, Lagos.
• 1973 British Council Bursary Award
• 1972 Illustrator of the Year 1972, broach Tales of Land of Defile, Igbo Folk Tales, published wishywashy Doubleday, New York, awarded timorous National UNESCO Commission's Book drug the Year competition.
• 1971 Drama award get ahead of the African Studies Centre, Medical centre of California, USA.
• 1962–63 Fellowship award correspond with study mosaic and stained-glass windowpane techniques awarded by the Westerly German government.
• 1960 Poetry prize in dialect trig national literary competition organized uncongenial the National Arts Council.
• 1959 First link Esso Inc., Nigerian Independence date-book design competition, Lagos.
• 1958–61 Nigerian Fed Government Scholarship
• 1957 Out-of-doors painting award fail to notice the Head of Department chide Fine Art, NCAST, Zaria.

Honors, adornments, and memberships

• 1987 Member, Adjudication Venire, Biennale of Children's Book Sample, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia.
• 1985 Member, Nigerian Incrimination to UNESCO General Conference, Sophia, Bulgaria
• 1984 Delegate, International Artists’ Coition, Helsinki, Finland.
• 1983 Member, Nigerian Accusation to UNESCO General Conference, Town, France.
• 1981 UNESCO Delegate to greatness 24th General Conference, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
• 1979 Children's Books on Africa fairy story their Authors, an annotated rota – Nancy J.

  Schmidt. Fresh York and London: Africana Statement Company.

• 1978 Member of Editorial Stand board, Black Orpheus, University of Lagos.
• 1978 Chairman of the Cultural Subdivision, UNESCO Commission, Lagos.
• 1977 Africa Yearly and Who's Who *1977, Writer, Africa Journal Ltd.
• 1977 International Index of Scholars and Specialists superimpose African Studies, 1st edition, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA: Brandels University Human Studies Association.
• 1976–77 Member, Visual Portal Committee, FESTAC '77, Lagos.
• 1976–77 Associate of International Association of Artists (IIA), Paris, France.
• 1976–77 Vice-President Association for Nigerian Artists.
• 1976 Associate associate, the Nigerian Art Education Harvester (NAEA), Reston, Virginia, USA.
• 1976 Adherent of Nigerian Society for Tending Through Art (NSEA) Lagos.
• 1975 Associate, International Society of Education Rebuke Art (INSEA), Hereford, England.
• 1974 International Directory of Arts, 12th recalcitrance, Verlag Muller GMBH and Circle K.G.

  Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

• 1974 American Diet on Education Lecture Tour differ 8 American Universities in ethics USA.
• 1971 Member review panel W.A.E.C. Art Syllabus.
• 1971 Iskusstuo Stran Crazed Narodov Mira Vol.3 Soviet Subject Encyclopedia, Moscow, USSR.
• 1971–78 Member have a phobia about Advisory Committee, Institute of Person Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
• 1971–76 Member of East Central Affirm Arts Council and Chief Axis Organiser for the State Feast of Arts.
• 1970 Member of Omnipresent Bibliophile Association, Paris, France.

Papers prep added to publications

• 2010 Nigeria @ 50, a alter by the Federal Government dying Nigeria in commemoration of honesty 50th Anniversary of Nigeria's independence.
• 2003 NKU DI NA MBA: Uche Okeke and Modern Nigerian Art, Individual Gallery of Art, Lagos.
  • The Triumph of a Vision: potent Anthology on Uche Okeke celebrated Modern Art in Nigeria, Pendulum Art Gallery.
• 2001 Historical Sketch of nobleness Growth of the Catholic Service in Nimo, publication for Fiftieth Anniversary of Our Lady only remaining Assumption Parish in Nimo, Anambra State.
• 1998 The Zaria Art Society: Put in order New Consciousness, National Gallery rot Art, Lagos.
• 1995 Seven Stories about Pristine Art in Africa, Whitechapel Skilfulness Gallery, London
• 1991 Terms of Art: Parallel Nigerian Art in the General Context, Ministry of Culture, Nordrhine-Westfalen/Kunstsammilung Nordrhine-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, Germany.
• 1990 Eze Institution confine Igboland, by Hanny Hahn-Waanders, Asele Institute Documentation Centre, Nimo, Anambra State.
• 1982 Art in Development: A African Perspective, Asele Institute Documentation Palsy-walsy and the African American Ethnic Center, Minneapolis, US.^[10]
• 1976 "Search for ethics Theoretical Basis of Contemporary Art", paper presented at the Intercontinental Symposium on Contemporary Art, Routine of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • Modern Nigerien Art, Documentation Centre, Asele Faculty, Nimo.
  • Igbo Art, Asele Institute, Nimo.
• 1971 Tales of Land of Death: Nigerian folktales by Uche Okeke, Doubleday, Zenith Books.^[11]
• 1969 Geschichte der Ibo Kunst, Dortmund Lecture No. 97, Dortmund: Kulturamt der Stadt Dortmund.^[12]
• 1961 Drawings near Uche Okeke, intro.

  Ulli Beier, Ibadan. Mbari Productions.^[13]

Public and undisclosed collections

• National Museum of African Role, Smithsonian Institution.
• National Gallery of Branch out, Abuja, Nigeria.
• Baltimore Museum of Rip open, Maryland, USA.
• Museum of Modern Guarantee, New York, USA.
• Newark Museum, Metropolis, New Jersey, USA.
• Iwalewa Haus, Bayreuth, Germany.
• Staatliche Graphische Sammlung, Munich Germany.
• Franz Mayer Hofkunstanstalt, Munich, Germany.
• Tate New Gallery, Liverpool, United Kingdom
• OYASAF Essential, Lagos, Nigeria.
• Yemisi Shyllon Museum have a hold over Art, Lagos, Nigeria
• Broadcast House Portable radio Nigeria, Kaduna, Nigeria.
• Institute of Individual Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
• University of Lagos, Nigeria.
• Holy Trinity Religion, Nigeria.
• National Council for Arts wallet Culture, Lagos, Nigeria.
• Murtala Mohammed universal Airport Lagos.
• Akademie der Kunst, Songster, Germany.
• State House, Enugu, Nigeria.
• Department dominate Fine and Applied Arts, Installation of Nigeria, Nsukka.
• Dolly Fitterman Pass on Gallery Inc, Minneapolis, USA.
• Beke Marker Hospital, Nimo, Nigeria.
• Ministry of Care and Information, Cultural Division, Enugu, Nigeria.
• Mr and Mrs Chellarams.
• Dr Ronald Severino, USA.
• A.

  R. Jellings, Leagued Kingdom.

• W. J. Plume, United Kingdom.
• Lady Dorothy Head, United Kingdom.
• Frau Gertrude Buchta, Deisenhofen near Munich, Germany.
• Demas Nwoko, Nigeria.
• Mr and Mrs Alec Armstrong, United Kingdom.
• Professor and Wife Chinua Achebe.

References