Footnotes

Exhibited
Lagos, Goethe Institute, 'Uche Okeke: 60th Birthday Anniversary Retrospective Exhibition, (1993), No. 36.

In the late 1950s, a group of young artists studying at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria formed a society in opposition to the dominance of Western European artistic traditions that were being privileged by the university. These students were Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, Bruce Onobrakpeya and Yusuf Grillo among others. Uche Okeke was at the forefront of this artistic movement. Previously, talented Nigerian artists had travelled to European academies for training. Okeke however was a home grown talent, studying at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria from 1958 to 1961. Much of his work is grounded in Igbo folklore and mythology, depicting spirits and masquerades. The fluid, broad brushstrokes of his compositions owe to the linear 'Uli' designs of the Igbo people. Okeke was very interested in Igbo culture. Much of his work draws on themes from its folklore and mythology, but it also shows a stylistic influence.

The present work is recorded in the Goethe Institute retrospective catalogue as being completed in 1993, therefore being categorised within his 'Nimo Period' which began in 1986. This period followed his Asele, Biafra and Uli periods. This exhibition emphasised the artist's importance also as an educator, activist, and philosopher. Frank Aig-Imoukhuede, the Director of Culture for the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in Lagos at the time of this exhibition, noted in the foreword of the exhibition and the artist:

"The importance of Uche Okeke lies in his recognition of the possibilities of Uli as a design resource for enriching modern art and, together with Nigeria's other innovators, of providing us with real "20th Century African Art"". (Frank Aig-Imoukhuede, Foreword of 'Uche Okeke: 60th Birthday Anniversary Retrospective Exhibition', p.4.)

Bibliography
P.C. Dike, ed. The Zaria Art Society: A New Consciousness, 'Uche Okeke: Interview by Chika Okeke'. (Lagos, 1998) p.51.