Harmonising Horizons: Uche Okeke's Holistic Impact on Art Education and Mentorship

Published 08 February 2024 in The Man

Uche Okeke Legacy Editorial

Uche Okeke, a Nigerian artist, educator, and cultural advocate, reshaped the art world with his groundbreaking work. His innovative approach not only revolutionised artistic expression and education, but opened global eyes to Africa and the immense talent. This post explores how Uche Okeke influenced art education and mentorship across the continent.

Christopher Uchefuna Okeke, Master Artist at work

The Birth of a Visionary Educator

Born in Nimo, Nigeria, in 1933, Uche Okeke was deeply influenced by his Igbo heritage. His early exposure to indigenous art forms like Igbo Uliism ignited his passion for preserving African artistic heritage, encouraging further study in the language, patterns and symbolism to better understand his roots. 

In 1957 he began studying Fine Art at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology (NCAST), now Ahmadu Bello University, and founded the Zaria Art Society alongside Bruce Onobrakpeya, Dema Nwoko, Yusuf Grillo, Simon Okeke, Jimoh Akolo, Oseloka Osadebe, Ogbonaya Nwagbara and Emmanuel Odita a year later. The Zaria Art Society, also known as the Zaria Rebels, was created as a response to the atmosphere and changes in society. Having each explored their roots and being aware of the all-encompassing nature of Western art teachings, the Zaria Rebels nimbly merged the Western methods of their educators with the fluid and expressive art forms of their ancestors, emerging with an entirely new form - ‘Natural Synthesis’. 

Group photograph of the Zaria Art Society

The Zaria Art Society was disbanded in 1962, and Okeke went to West Germany to study stained glass and mosaic at the Mayer’sche Hofkunstanstalt in Munich under Karl Mayer.

Founding the Nsukka Art School

After returning to Nigeria soon after the end of the Biafran civil war, Okeke became head of the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. During this 15-year period, he co-founded Nsukka Art School with fellow artist Chike Aniakor, an institution aimed at addressing societal shifts through exploration and experimentation with traditional methods and cultural memory.