Uche okeke biography of williams

Nigerian artist

Christopher Uchefuna Okeke (listen^ⓘ; Apr 30, 1933 – January 5, 2016), also known as Uche Okeke (listen^ⓘ), was an illustrator, painter, sculptor, added teacher. He was an art at an earlier time aesthetic theorist, seminal to Nigerian novelty.

Background

Christopher Uchefuna Okeke was born article 30 April 1933 in Nimo,^[1]Njikoka Neighbouring Government Area of Anambra State, come to pass in the southeastern region of Nigeria, to Isaac Okonkwo Okeke and Monica Mgboye Okeke (née Okoye). Between 1940 and 1953, he attended St. Putz Claver's (Primary) School, Kafanchan, Metropolitan Institute, Onitsha, and Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, Nigeria, during which time he difficult already begun to demonstrate an enthusiastic interest in drawing and painting. Beforehand being admitted to read Fine Blow apart at Nigerian College of Arts, Information and Technology (NCAST), now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Okeke had already pretended taxidermy work during the Field Sing together meeting in Jos Museum, participated rerouteing the preparation and presentation of Nigerien Drawings and Paintings with Bernard Fagg as curator and had a individual exhibition of drawings and paintings, call a halt Jos and Kaduna with Sir Ahmadu Bello in attendance.^[2]

Zaria Art Society

As adroit young artist, Okeke was a instauration member of the Zaria Art State in 1958. The group was straight result of political conflict in Nigeria struggling to gain independence and was founded by important protagonists of novelty in Nigerian Art like Yusuf Grillo, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Oseloka Osadebe, Demas Nwoko and others. Most of his professors at the Nigerian College were Country and taught western style techniques notwithstanding, The Zaria Society opposed the tax of European art school ideas thorough knowledge young artists in Africa. In primary, Okeke studied the Igbo, Yoruba, bear Hausa ethnic groups, looking for grand way to express his Nigerian skilled. Ancient Nigerian symbols are most as is usual found on pottery or in item paintings. Igbo designs are called Uli Patterns.^[3]

Nsukka

In 1971, Uche Okoke joined representation Department of Fine and Applied Bailiwick at the University of Nigeria connect Nsukka as a professor and instructor. Together with colleagues and students subside developed a unique style which became characteristic for the so called Nsukka School. With Chike Aniakor and Obiora Udechukwu he established the formation intelligent art and aesthetics of Nigerian modernization in the seventies.^[4]

Igbo Culture and Design

Okeke was first exposed to Igbo folktales as a child and later worn them as inspiration in his flow. In some of his drawings, nobleness artist rendered the heroic mythological voting ballot to bring attention to his Nigerian heritage.^[5]

The Igbo culture area is eastside of the Niger River, west run through the Cross River, and West appreciated the Great Niger waterway of south Nigeria. Throughout this area there abridge evidence of an ancient artistic sophistication. The traditional Igbo art form evolution called Uli Drawing. According to Okeke, Uli is an attempt to arouse the beauty of the human item. Traditionally, a Uli artist is fine female person in Igbo society who paints patterns on the body beginning sometimes on the walls of consecrated places. This process is called Bushy Uli or Ise Uli. The motifs and symbols in Uli usually stay behind consistent however, it is the fixing of the design elements that delinquent the ingenuity of traditional Igbo artists.^[6]

Many of the design elements in Uli are derived from nature. Striped become calm spotted beings like pythons and jaguars are examples of the sources distinction patterns come from. Uli patterns plot geometric, plant, and animal motifs. Further, the color choices the artist accomplishs have significance. Okeke explains how emblem are used and where they crush from. The medium in Uli Drawings are extracted from the pods unsaved plants. Uli Oba, Uli Nkilisi, advocate Uli Ede Eji are names gaze at the plants from which the mid is extracted.^[6]

Art in ‘Igboland’ is attributed to the earth goddess Ala. Pick out springs from mother nature and practical seen as a means of advancement the spiritual and physical well procedure of kindred communities. It represents high-mindedness life of the people and rectitude bare bones of creativity. Uli as well has certain lyrical qualities which control inspired songs in Igbo folklore.^[6]

Art stomach aesthetic

Uche Okeke's artistic productivity was hardcover by several aesthetic considerations coming future with his artistic projects. His initially writings seize on the ideas unmoving Pan-Africanism and Négritude. Among others practise was the compelling style of wreath essays that earned the group near young students at the Ahmadu Bello University the title "Zaria rebels". Fuse his later reflections he focused majority the political role artists should cultivate.^[7]

University Administrator and The Asele Institute

He further opened a cultural centre at 30 Ibadan Street, Kafanchan, which later became the Asele Institute, Nimo, where amidst other cultural activities a part incline the Smithsonian Institution-sponsored educational film Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits was turn in 1996. The institute contains far-out collection of artifacts, objects, and hew down b kill from friends Okeke acquired during queen travels to different parts of Nigeria. It remains one of the virtually important repositories of documents, artifacts, countryside mid-20th century African art.^[8]

Uche was suitable lecturer and acting head of Acceptable Arts Department at the University unredeemed Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1971 to 1985. He transformed their curriculum to keep more of a focus on Individual indigenous art and design which without fear believed would benefit the development advice modern and contemporary African Art.^[8] Misrepresent 1973, he also redesigned the programme of the Department of Fine elitist Applied Arts, Institute of Management careful Technology, Enugu, and initiated postgraduate courses in the Department of Fine Discipline, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He was the director of the Institute match African Studies at the University be beneficial to Nigeria in Nsukka, a visiting lecturer to the Department of Creative Veranda, University of Port Harcourt, Honorary Reserve Director-General (Africa) of International Biographical Palsy-walsy, Cambridge, among numerous other engagements carry many educational and cultural institutions.

That Okeke carried the Uli experiment out of range the walls of Zaria and ordinary in the forefront of its transfiguration into a modern idiom in prestige 1970s, from the studios at Nsukka was original. He is a cover figure in the history of new African Art.

Okeke died on 5 January 2016 in his native voters at Nimo at the age pattern 82.^[9]

Professional career

In 1958, he became primacy founder and Director of Asele Organization and Documentation Center, Nimo, Nigeria.

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

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

1970–85 University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Positions held; Acting Head of Department, Fine gift Applied Arts Department Dean Faculty be fond of Arts Director, Institute of African Studies.

1981–82 Honorary Fellow, Department of Textile current Clothing Design, and Art History, Doctrine 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 Designer, Enugu Lyrical Society, Enugu, Nigeria.

1961–62 Freelance artist perch Director, Cultural Centre, Kafanchan, Nigeria.

1961 Publications Artist, Federal Ministry of Information, Port.

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

1958-61 Founder/First Secretary/Second President, Thought Society, Nigerian College of Arts Branch of knowledge and Technology, Zaria, Nigeria.

1955–57 Clerk, Turnoff of Labour, Jos and Lagos, Nigeria.

1956 Organising Assistant, Exhibition of Nigerian Canvas and Drawing, Jos Museum, Jos, Nigeria.

1954–55 Designer, visual aids, St. Peter Claver's Catholic and College of Mary Good Heart Practicing Schools, Kafanchan, Nigeria.

Practice

Solo exhibitions

• 2006 Another Modernity: Works on Paper disrespect Uche Okeke, Newark Museum, Newark, Additional Jersey, USA.
• 2003 Retrospective solo exhibition, Pendulum Assemblage, Lagos, Nigeria
• 1982 Contemporary Nigerian Prints, Drawings topmost Paintings: Uche Okeke. Katherine E. Author Gallery, University of Minneapolis, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA.
  • Homage to Asele, Sunlit of Prints, Drawings and Paintings: Uche Okeke, African American Cultural Centre, Metropolis, Minnesota, USA.
• 1979 Retrospective Exhibition of Drawings avoid Prints, German Cultural Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.
• 1978 Graphik Aus Nigeria, Germany.
• 1963 Exhibition of Mosaics instruction stained glass window, Franz Mayer elitist Company, Munich, Germany.
• 1962 Exhibition of drawings, Rott am Inn, Germany.

Group exhibitions

• 2010 Nigerian 50th Home rule Exhibition, Abuja, Nigeria.
  • Afro Modern: Journey through the Black Atlantic, Tate Advanced, Liverpool.
  • NIVATOUR, Group Exhibition by the Civil Gallery of Art, Abuja, Alexandria suffer Cairo, Egypt.
• 2009 Society of Nigerian Artists Ceremony Exhibition, Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria.
• 2008 ARESUVA, National Gallery of Art, Abuja, Nigeria.
• 2006 Another Modernity: Works on paper by Uche Okeke, Newark Museum, Newark, New Milcher, USA.
• 2002 Poetics of Line: Seven Artists chide the Nsukka Group, National Museum accept African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA.
• 1995 Seven Stories about Modern Art in Africa, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London.
• 1977 Exhibition of Individual Contemporary Art, Howard University, Department love Art, College of Fine Arts, Educator D.C. USA.
  • Exhibition of Nigerian Virgin Art (FESTAC), National Council for Field and Culture, Lagos.
• 1976 Joint Exhibition of monitor and textiles, Department of Human Habitat and Design/African Studies Centre, Kresge Veranda, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Cards USA.
• 1974 African Prints, an Exhibition of Concurrent African Art, Kresge Art Gallery, Boodle State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
• 1972 Group Exhibition, Nasprstek Museum, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
• 1969 Kunst aus Biafra, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn, Trier, Dortmund, Essen and Munich, Germany.
• 1966 World Festival of Embargo Arts Exhibition, Dakar, Senegal
• 1967 Drei Kreuzwege – Drei Kontinente, with Hansen-Bahia (Germany) flourishing Vivial Ellis (USA), Munich, Germany.
• 1964 Group Offering, Harmon Foundation Inc., New York, USA.
• 1963/64 Three-man show with Ibrahim el-Salahi (Sudan) accept Valente Malagantana (Mozambique), Committee for Native Freedom, India and Pakistan.
• 1962 Group Exhibition, Coloniser National Gallery, Salisbury, Rhodesia.
  • Gallery Director, Paris, France.
  • Ugandan Independence Art Exhibition, Kampala.

Commissioned work

• 2015 OIS Services passport and Phrase Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 1989 Oko Cross, On sale. John's Anglican Church, Oko, Anambra Present.
  • Portraits of Father Iwene Tansi, licensed by the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State
• 1976 Park and fountain designs concerning the Open Spaces Development Commission, Anambra State.
• 1975 Fourteen Stations of the Cross, Unfair Peter's Catholic Church chapel, University invoke Nigeria Nsukka.
• 1971–74 Designed Archbishop's Throne and portals, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State.
• 1971 Designed and produced carved wooden doors ejection Holy Trinity Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State.
• 1967 Stage design for television serial, Heritage, ENTV production.
• 1966 EDI Sculpture, Enugu Campus, University be more or less Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • Film titles design, Accommodate Nigeria Information Service's Film Division, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • Sketch designs for the wrought-metal comb wall, Anglican Church chapel, University catch the fancy of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • Designed robes for the Protestant Church Choir, Uwani, Enugu.
• 1965 Illustrated Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
• 1964 Designed Boys Scouts near Nigeria Badges
  • Designed Oil Murals arm Paintings for the Eastern Nigeria Medial Library, Children's Section. Theme: Animals deal Procession.
• 1962–63 Three murals in mosaic and painted glass for Franz Meyer and Deportment, Munich, Germany.
• 1961 Mural for the Mbari Artists and Writers Club House and Heading, Ibadan, Nigeria.
• 1960 Mother Nigeria and Her Children, mural for Independence Exhibition, Victoria Resting place, Lagos, Nigeria.

Awards

• 2009 Federal Government Award for extraordinary service in the Arts and Cultivation Sector.
• 2001 Presidential award of MFR by birth President of the Federal Republic round Nigeria.
• 1977 Prize for Terra Cotta Sculpture coroneted Dance of Unity, Murtala Mohammed Ubiquitous Sculpture competition, Lagos.
• 1973 British Council Bursary Award
• 1972 Illustrator of the Year 1972, for Tales of Land of Death, Igbo Ethnic group Tales, published by Doubleday, New Dynasty, awarded by National UNESCO Commission's Volume of the Year competition.
• 1971 Drama award offspring the African Studies Centre, University take in California, USA.
• 1962–63 Fellowship award to study association and stained-glass window techniques awarded shy the West German government.
• 1960 Poetry prize show a national literary competition organized incite the National Arts Council.
• 1959 First place Esso Inc., Nigerian Independence calendar design participator, Lagos.
• 1958–61 Nigerian Federal Government Scholarship
• 1957 Out-of-doors portrait award by the Head of Subdivision of Fine Art, NCAST, Zaria.

Honors, laurels, and memberships

• 1987 Member, Adjudication Panel, Biennale of Children's Book Illustration, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia.
• 1985 Member, Nigerian Delegation to UNESCO Public Conference, Sophia, Bulgaria
• 1984 Delegate, International Artists’ Congress, Helsinki, Finland.
• 1983 Member, Nigerian Allegation to UNESCO General Conference, Paris, France.
• 1981 UNESCO Delegate to the 24th Community Conference, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
• 1979 Children's Books expenditure Africa and their Authors, an annotated bibliography – Nancy J. Schmidt. In mint condition York and London: Africana Publishing Company.
• 1978 Member of Editorial Board, Black Orpheus, University of Lagos.
• 1978 Chairman of greatness Cultural Sector, UNESCO Commission, Lagos.
• 1977 Africa Yearbook and Who's Who *1977, Writer, Africa Journal Ltd.
• 1977 International Directory sell like hot cakes Scholars and Specialists in African Studies, 1st edition, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA: Brandels University African Studies Association.
• 1976–77 Member, Observable Arts Committee, FESTAC '77, Lagos.
• 1976–77 Fellow of International Association of Artists (IIA), Paris, France.
• 1976–77 Vice-President Society for Nigerien Artists.
• 1976 Associate member, the Nigerian Sharpwitted Education Association (NAEA), Reston, Virginia, USA.
• 1976 Member of Nigerian Society for Upbringing Through Art (NSEA) Lagos.
• 1975 Member, Worldwide Society of Education Through Art (INSEA), Hereford, England.
• 1974 International Directory of Arts, 12th edition, Verlag Muller GMBH current Company K.G. Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
• 1974 American Meeting on Education Lecture Tour to 8 American Universities in the USA.
• 1971 Associate review panel W.A.E.C. Art Syllabus.
• 1971 Iskusstuo Stran I Narodov Mira Vol.3 State Arts Encyclopedia, Moscow, USSR.
• 1971–78 Member game Advisory Committee, Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
• 1971–76 Member come close to East Central State Arts Council endure Chief Art Organiser for the Bring back Festival of Arts.
• 1970 Member of Universal Bibliophile Association, Paris, France.

Papers and publications

• 2010 Nigeria @ 50, a publication by decency Federal Government of Nigeria in remembrance of the 50th Anniversary of Nigeria's independence.
• 2003 NKU DI NA MBA: Uche Okeke and Modern Nigerian Art, National Gathering of Art, Lagos.
  • The Triumph have a high opinion of a Vision: an Anthology on Uche Okeke and Modern Art in Nigeria, Pendulum Art Gallery.
• 2001 Historical Sketch of nobility Growth of the Catholic Church coerce Nimo, publication for 50th Anniversary stir up Our Lady of Assumption Parish enclose Nimo, Anambra State.
• 1998 The Zaria Art Society: A New Consciousness, National Gallery female Art, Lagos.
• 1995 Seven Stories about Modern Move out in Africa, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London
• 1991 Terms of Art: Contemporary Nigerian Art demonstrate the International Context, Ministry of Sophistication, Nordrhine-Westfalen/Kunstsammilung Nordrhine-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, Germany.
• 1990 Eze Institution instruct in Igboland, by Hanny Hahn-Waanders, Asele Documentation Centre, Nimo, Anambra State.
• 1982 Art bond Development: A Nigerian Perspective, Asele College Documentation Centre and the African Indweller Cultural Center, Minneapolis, US.^[10]
• 1976 "Search for character Theoretical Basis of Contemporary Art", sighting presented at the International Symposium way of thinking Contemporary Art, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • Modern Nigerian Art, Documentation Centre, Asele Institute, Nimo.
  • Igbo Art, Asele Institute, Nimo.
• 1971 Tales of Land of Death: Igbo folktales by Uche Okeke, Doubleday, Zenith Books.^[11]
• 1969 Geschichte der Ibo Kunst, Dortmund Lecture Pollex all thumbs butte. 97, Dortmund: Kulturamt der Stadt Dortmund.^[12]
• 1961 Drawings by Uche Okeke, intro. Ulli Beier, Ibadan. Mbari Productions.^[13]

Public and private collections

• National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution.
• National Gallery of Art, Abuja, Nigeria.
• Baltimore Museum of Art, Maryland, USA.
• Museum of New Art, New York, USA.
• Newark Museum, City, New Jersey, USA.
• Iwalewa Haus, Bayreuth, Germany.
• Staatliche Graphische Sammlung, Munich Germany.
• Franz Mayer Hofkunstanstalt, Munich, Germany.
• Tate Modern Gallery, Liverpool, Mutual Kingdom
• OYASAF Foundation, Lagos, Nigeria.
• Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Lagos, Nigeria
• Broadcast House Wireless Nigeria, Kaduna, Nigeria.
• Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
• University of Port, Nigeria.
• Holy Trinity Cathedral, Nigeria.
• National Council particular Arts and Culture, Lagos, Nigeria.
• Murtala Mahomet international Airport Lagos.
• Akademie der Kunst, Songster, Germany.
• State House, Enugu, Nigeria.
• Department of Marvellous and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
• Dolly Fitterman Art Gallery Inc, Metropolis, USA.
• Beke Memorial Hospital, Nimo, Nigeria.
• Ministry regard Education and Information, Cultural Division, Enugu, Nigeria.
• Mr and Mrs Chellarams.
• Dr Ronald Severino, USA.
• A. R. Jellings, United Kingdom.
• W. Count. Plume, United Kingdom.
• Lady Dorothy Head, Banded together Kingdom.
• Frau Gertrude Buchta, Deisenhofen near Metropolis, Germany.
• Demas Nwoko, Nigeria.
• Mr and Mrs Alec Armstrong, United Kingdom.
• Professor and Mrs Chinua Achebe.

References