Uche Okeke (1933-2016) illustrator, painter, sculptor and art professor
Subject: African Artists and Drawing
Uche Okeke was born on 30 April 1933 in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria Between 1940 and 1953, he attended St. Peter Claver's (Primary) School, Kafanchan, Metropolitan College, Onitsha, and Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, Nigeria, during which time he had already begun to demonstrate an avid interest in drawing and painting. Before being admitted to read Fine Art at Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST), now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria between 1957 to 1962 (“Uche Okeke”, 2022). He also studied stain glass and mosaic techniques at the Franz Mayer Studio, Munich, Germany in 1963. He was a member of the Mbari Mbayo Artists and Writers Workshop, Ibadan; and directed the Mbari Art Center, Enugu, 1964-67. In 1970, he joined the faculty of the Department of Fine Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he taught until his retirement as a professor and in the late 1980s. Exhibitions include Afro-Modern: Journeys through Black Atlantic, Tate Modern, Liverpool, 2010; Musee de l’Homme, Paris, 1972; Hamons Foundation, New York, 1964; Sao Paolo Biennale, 1961; British Council, Kano, 1958. Collections include Asele Institute, Nimo Nigeria; National Gallery of Modern Art, Lagos; OYASAF, Foundation, Lagos; Nigeria; National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC; Newark Museum, NJ. Awards include the Presidential Award-MFR 2001; Federal Government of Nigeria Award for distinguished service in Arts and Culture and the Yusuf Grillo Pavilion Visual Arts Fiesta Award, Lagos in 2012 (Contemporary And, 2015).
By:
Benjamin Onuorah
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