Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy (1952-2012)

Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy (2 May 1952−17 December 2012) creates a lasting impression on canvas as well as on those who meet her. For the fortunate ones who sit for her, her charm pervades and the intensity of her application when painting leaves a memorable effect.

Born in Eastern Nigeria Chinwe had always wanted to be an artist and took every opportunity to draw - even when this got her into trouble at school. She was greatly affected by the Biafran war both emotionally and through the lack of opportunities for study at that period in Nigeria. She travelled to Britain in 1975 and obtained a B.A. Hons. Degree in Graphic Design at Middlesex Polytechnic formerly Hornsey College of Art.

She took up full time painting in 1988 and her work covers a wide area. As well as portraits in oils and pastels, her paintings depicting the history of the African continent have attracted wide acclaim. Chinwe also sculpts in clay. Her portrait commissions are extensive and the major commissions are listed on the exhibitions page. Her current major commission is to paint Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. She is the first black artist to do so. The commission, when completed, will hang in Marlborough House alongside that of her work of Chief Emeka Anyaoku the Secretary General of the Commonwealth whose portrait was unveiled by Her Majesty in March 2000.

Chinwe has a profound knowledge of Africa and its history which emerges in any question and answer session on her work.

In 2003, Chukwuogo-Roy represented the United Kingdom at the European Council Committee in Paris, advising on Contemporary African Art and Artists. In December that year, she also instigated and organised the "Celebrate" Exhibition for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Abuja.

Chinwe was a founder member of the renowned Sudbourne Printmakers, involving several leading Suffolk artists.

Chukwuogo-Roy was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.

In December 2012, after a lengthy illness with cancer, she died at her home in Hacheston, near Framlingham, Suffolk.