The Asele Institute - A cornerstone in Art Education

Published 21 November 2024 in The Legacy

Uche Okeke Legacy Editorial

The Asele Institute, located in Nimo, Anambra State, Nigeria, holds a vital place in Nigeria’s cultural and artistic history. Established in 1958 by Uche Okeke, the Asele Institute was designed to be a hub for art, culture, and education, and became a space where the synthesis of modern and traditional Nigerian art forms could thrive, encouraging the growth of artists and intellectuals in a time when the country was fighting for its own independence and identity. Amidst the uncertain environment, The Asele Institute became a nexus of Nigerian Modernism and cultural renaissance.

“The foundation of Asele was more than a project - it was a vision of artistic freedom, cultural expression, and Nigerian identity,” Uche Okeke

Uche Okeke, Preparation for the Jos Solo Exhibition, Asele Institute Archive

The History of the Asele Institute

Uche Okeke founded the Asele Institute in the midst of significant change in Nigeria. The country’s approaching independence in the 1960s brought a renewed sense of expression and a desire to reclaim its cultural heritage, and for artists like Okeke, it was a time to challenge Western influences that had dominated the artistic landscape and instead elevate indigenous practices to their rightful place alongside them. 

Between the 1950s and 1960s, this brewing freedom from colonial rule saw Nigeria grappling with establishing a new national identity, and cultural institutions like the Asele Institute became crucial in not only shaping this, but reintegrating the traditional practices and values that were at the heart of the country. They provided platforms where artists and intellectuals could challenge the dominance of Western art traditions and embrace indigenous culture as a source of pride and innovation. This was particularly vital during a time when many African nations sought to reclaim their sovereignty, and it was against this backdrop that Okeke’s Natural Synthesis was born. This philosophy and movement came as a response to the tense period and significant changes they were subject to, and was not merely an artistic movement but a statement of resistance and reclamation.