Uche Okeke facts for kids

Christopher Uchefuna Okeke (born April 30, 1933, in Nimo – died January 5, 2016, in Nimo), known as Uche Okeke, was a famous Nigerian artist. He was an illustrator, painter, sculptor, poet, and art thinker. He played a very important role in developing modern art in Nigeria.

Life

Early Years and Art Journey

Uche Okeke was born in Nimo, Anambra State, Nigeria. From a young age, he loved drawing and painting. He went to several schools between 1940 and 1953. Even before going to art college, he was already showing his artwork. He even had a solo exhibition of his drawings and paintings in Jos and Kaduna, which was attended by important people like Sir Ahmadu Bello.

He later studied Fine Art at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST) in Zaria. This school is now called Ahmadu Bello University.

The Zaria Art Society

In 1958, Uche Okeke helped start a group called the Zaria Art Society. Nigeria was working to become independent at this time, and there was a lot of political change. The group included other important Nigerian artists like Yusuf Grillo and Bruce Onobrakpeya.

Most of their teachers at college were British and taught Western art styles. However, the Zaria Art Society believed that young African artists should not just copy European ideas. Okeke studied the art of different Nigerian groups, like the Igbo people, Yoruba people, and Hausa people. He wanted to find a way to show his Nigerian identity in his art. He found inspiration in ancient Nigerian symbols often seen on pottery or body paintings.

The Nsukka School

In 1971, Uche Okeke became a professor at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka. There, he and his students created a special art style. This style became known as the Nsukka School. He worked with other artists like Chike Aniakor and Obiora Udechukwu. Together, they helped shape what modern Nigerian art looked like in the 1970s.

Igbo Culture and Design

Uche Okeke learned Igbo folktales as a child. These stories later became a big source of ideas for his art. He often drew heroic figures from Igbo myths. This helped him highlight his Igbo heritage.

The Igbo people live in southeastern Nigeria. They have a very old art tradition called Uli Drawing. Uli is a way to make the human body more beautiful. Traditionally, Igbo women artists paint Uli patterns on bodies and sometimes on sacred walls. This is called Ide Uli or Ise Uli.

Uli patterns use symbols and designs from nature. For example, patterns can come from striped animals like pythons or spotted animals like jaguars. Uli designs include shapes, plants, and animal motifs. The colors used in Uli drawings also have special meanings. The paints come from plant pods, like Uli Oba and Uli Nkilisi.

Igbo art is often linked to Ala, the earth goddess. Art is seen as a way to help communities stay strong and healthy. It shows the life and creativity of the people. Uli designs have also inspired songs in Igbo folktales.

Art and Ideas

Uche Okeke's art was always connected to his ideas about art. His early writings explored ideas like Pan-Africanism (the idea of unity for all African people) and Négritude (a movement celebrating Black culture). His strong writing style even earned his student group the name "Zaria rebels." Later, he focused on how artists could play a role in politics.

University Work and The Asele Institute

Uche Okeke also opened a cultural center in Kafanchan. This center later became the Asele Institute in Nimo. It holds a collection of art and objects that Okeke gathered during his travels in Nigeria. It is a very important place for studying African art from the mid-20th century.

From 1971 to 1985, Okeke was a lecturer and acting head of the Fine Arts Department at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He changed the art curriculum to focus more on African art and design. He believed this would help modern African art grow. He also helped start postgraduate art courses at the university.

He held many other important positions. He was the Director of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Port Harcourt. Uche Okeke was a leading figure in the history of modern African Art.

Okeke passed away on January 5, 2016, in his hometown of Nimo. He was 82 years old.

Professional Career Highlights

Uche Okeke had a long and impactful career. Here are some of his key roles:

• 1958: Founder and Director of Asele Institute and Documentation Center, Nimo.
• 1970–85: Held various positions at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, including Acting Head of Fine and Applied Arts Department and Director of the Institute of African Studies.
• 1964–67: Director of Mbari Art Centre, Enugu.
• 1961–62: Freelance artist and Director of Cultural Centre, Kafanchan.
• 1958-61: Founder and First Secretary of the Art Society at the Nigerian College of Arts Science and Technology, Zaria.

Artistic Works and Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

Uche Okeke had many solo shows where his art was displayed alone:

• 2006: Another Modernity: Works on Paper by Uche Okeke, at the Newark Museum, USA.
• 2003: A special show looking back at his art career, at Pendulum Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria.
• 1982: Contemporary Nigerian Prints, Drawings and Paintings: Uche Okeke, at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, USA.

Group Exhibitions

He also took part in many group shows with other artists:

• 2010: Nigerian 50th Independence Exhibition, Abuja, Nigeria.
• 2010: Afro Modern: Journeys through the Black Atlantic, Tate Modern, Liverpool.
• 2002: Poetics of Line: Seven Artists of the Nsukka Group, at the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, USA.
• 1995: Seven Stories about Modern Art in Africa, at Whitechapel Art Gallery, London.
• 1966: World Festival of Negro Arts Exhibition, Dakar, Senegal.

Commissioned Work

Uche Okeke was asked to create art for many special projects:

• 2015: Art for OIS Services passport and Visa Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 1989: Oko Cross, for St. John’s Anglican Church, Oko, Anambra State.
• 1975: Fourteen Stations of the Cross, for St Peter’s Catholic Church chapel, University of Nigeria Nsukka.
• 1971: Designed and made carved wooden doors for Holy Trinity Cathedral, Onitsha.
• 1965: Illustrated Chinua Achebe’s famous book Things Fall Apart.
• 1964: Designed Boys Scouts of Nigeria Badges.
• 1960: Mother Nigeria and Her Children, a mural for the Independence Exhibition in Lagos.

Awards and Recognition

Uche Okeke received many awards for his contributions to art:

• 2009: Federal Government Award for great service in Arts and Culture.
• 2001: Presidential award of MFR (Member of the Federal Republic) from the President of Nigeria.
• 1977: Prize for his sculpture Dance of Unity in an international competition.
• 1972: Illustrator of the Year for Tales of Land of Death, Igbo Folk Tales.
• 1962–63: Fellowship to study mosaic and stained-glass art in Germany.
• 1960: Poetry prize in a national writing competition.

Public and Private Collections

Uche Okeke's artwork can be found in many important collections around the world:

• National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, USA.
• National Gallery of Art, Abuja, Nigeria.
• Newark Museum, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
• Tate Modern Gallery, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
• Holy Trinity Cathedral, Nigeria.
• Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
• And many other museums, universities, and private collections.