The Zaria Rebels: Simon Okeke
Published 07 October 2024 in The Legacy
Uche Okeke Legacy Editorial
Simon Okeke is a distinguished Nigerian artist known for his exceptional skill in creating realistic portraits and breathtaking landscapes. His profound ability to capture the intricate details of his subjects and his deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world have firmly established him as a significant figure in the Nigerian art scene. Okeke’s work has garnered widespread admiration and acclaim, not only within Nigeria but also on the international stage, with exhibitions in major art centers such as Paris, London, and New York.
Simon Okeke’s artistic journey began in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, in 1938, where he was immersed in a culturally rich environment that would shape his future as an artist. Influenced by the vibrant traditions and natural beauty surrounding him, Okeke exhibited a remarkable talent for drawing and painting from an early age. His formal education in art further refined his skills and solidified his commitment to realism, a style that would become his hallmark.
The Zaria Art Society
Simon Okeke’s involvement with the Zaria Art Society marked a pivotal point in his artistic development. As one of the core members, Okeke played an integral role in shaping the philosophy and direction of the group which sought to challenge the imposed art education prevalent in Nigeria at the time. Formed in 1958 by a group of young, ambitious students at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology in Zaria (NCAST), the Zaria Art Society, affectionately known as the Zaria Rebels, rejected the Eurocentric curriculum that prioritised Western art forms, techniques, and values, instead advocating for an approach that blended these aspects with traditional African forms, giving birth to the concept of Natural Synthesis.
For Okeke, the movement was as much a philosophical awakening as it was an artistic rebellion. Natural Synthesis encouraged Nigerian artists to embrace their cultural heritage and elevate it to the same level as the European elements of modern art, thus creating a uniquely Nigerian modernism. This philosophy resonated deeply with Okeke, whose own practice already sought to balance realism with a distinctly Nigerian voice, and, under the banner of the Zaria Art Society, Okeke and his peers - Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, Bruce Onobrakpeya, and Yusuf Grillo - set out to redefine Nigerian art by embracing indigenous artistic traditions, while remaining open to new forms of expression from all areas of inspiration. During this time, his work began to reflect a stronger engagement with his Nigerian identity. His experiences in the society influenced him to delve deeper into his cultural roots, which was particularly evident in his exploration of Igbo Uli designs and the symbolic motifs that frequently appeared in his paintings.
The Zaria Art Society was not only a platform for free artistic expression and experimentation, but a one for intellectual exchange and collaboration. The society’s discussions about the role of the artist in post-colonial Nigeria helped shape his understanding of the artist’s responsibility to reflect and critique the society in which they lived, and his work, which had always demonstrated technical mastery, began to take on a new layer of meaning during this period. The subjects of his portraits were no longer just figures rendered in lifelike detail; they became representations of Nigeria’s cultural and social diversity, embodying the complexity of the country’s post-colonial identity, and his landscapes, while rooted in realism, began to carry a deeper connection to the land itself, imbuing scenes of nature with cultural symbolism and a sense of national pride.
Through his involvement with the Zaria Art Society, Okeke became part of a generation of Nigerian artists who were at the forefront of a cultural renaissance. Their aim was to create a unified and unique Nigerian identity that reflected all that had shaped the country thus far, and the ripples of their success can still be felt in the world today.
Artistic Style and Techniques
Simon Okeke’s practice was deeply rooted in realism, a style characterized by detailed, lifelike representations that reflect the true essence of the subject. His portraits and landscapes are distinguished by their accuracy and depth, providing a vivid reflection of reality that captures not just the subject's outward appearance but also their inner essence. His realism extends beyond mere technical precision; it encompasses an emotional and psychological depth that allows his work to resonate profoundly with viewers.
Okeke’s masterful use of chiaroscuro was central to creating depth in his pieces. This technique of contrasting light and shadow adds a three-dimensional quality to his work, creating a dynamic interplay between light and dark that enhances the viewer’s experience by evoking mood and atmosphere. In Okeke’s hands, chiaroscuro became a way to breathe life into his subjects, and he understood how to use light to lead the viewer’s eye and guide the emotional tone of the piece. His mastery of the technique allowed him to add not only visual but emotional depth, using it to evoke a sense of tranquillity, tension, or introspection, and, by doing this,, he created a sense of space and volume that made his subjects appear almost tangible, as if they could step out of the canvas. The mastery of this technique gave his compositions with a timeless, atmospheric, and almost lifelike quality that drew viewers deeper into the narrative of the scene. Another well-known aspect of his practice was his meticulous attention to texture. His paintings exhibit an extraordinary ability to depict various surfaces with authenticity, from the rough bark of trees to the smooth texture of human skin, and this textural precision offered a tactile realism that engaged the viewer with the physicality of his subjects. In his depictions of aged faces, Okeke’s brush strokes emulated the wisdom and experience etched into the skin, and his attention to detail rendered the environment so vividly in his landscapes that every leaf felt as though it could be touched. His approach to texture contributed to the immersive quality of his work, inviting viewers to not only see but almost feel the elements within the painting. By doing so, Okeke acted as a bridge between the viewer and the subject, providing a heightened sensory experience and making the scene more intimate and immediate.
While Okeke’s work is firmly anchored in traditional realism, he is also known for incorporating innovative techniques that reflect his personal artistic vision, particularly seen in his blending of modern Western approaches with elements of African artistic traditions. This blended approach was influenced by the core philosophies of the Zaria Art Society, particularly their Natural Synthesis approach, and, like his peers, Okeke drew inspiration from traditional Nigerian art forms, particularly the geometric patterns and rhythmic compositions found in Igbo Uli designs and the symbolic art of the Yoruba. These references were most evident in his approach to line and form where he combined naturalistic portrayals with stylized patterns referencing the abstract, symbolic forms central to African art, but can also be seen in his treatment of space and colour. Okeke would flatten the background in certain works, reminiscent of the two-dimensional design traditions seen in African textiles and sculpture, while maintaining a lifelike portrayal of the foreground, and experimented with colour in ways that connected his work to African traditions. Rather than relying solely on the muted tones often associated with European realism, Okeke would infuse his compositions with vibrant, earth-toned palettes that echoed the hues of Nigerian landscapes and the colours of indigenous art forms. His ability to seamlessly merge these elements into his work created a visual language that was distinctly Nigerian and uniquely his, yet globally resonant.
His exploration of both classical Western techniques and African art traditions gave his paintings a duality that resonated with diverse audiences, allowing him to express his cultural identity while engaging with a global art dialogue. It was through this fusion of Western and African art traditions that Okeke's work came to occupy a unique space within Nigerian modernism, blending the two worlds to create a style that was distinctly his own. By intertwining these influences, Okeke helped redefine realism in Nigerian art, expanding the boundaries of what it could express, and, in doing so, contributed to a broader appreciation of the genre both locally and internationally.
Simon Okeke, Ife, 1966
His Legacy
Throughout his career and posthumously, Simon Okeke's work has been exhibited in prestigious art centres in Paris, London, and New York. His ability to engage with universal themes of identity, community, and humanity gave his work a global appeal, all the while remaining grounded in a uniquely Nigerian, and overarching African, context.
His work moved beyond cultural and geographic boundaries, and he was featured in both local and international exhibitions. In 1969, Simon Okeke’s works were featured in the Pan-African Cultural Festival in Algiers, Algeria, a landmark event that showcased African art, music, and culture, and served as a critical moment for artists and intellectuals from across the continent to exchange ideas. In 1982, his work was exhibited alongside Uche Okeke’s in the African Art in the 20th Century exhibition held in Paris, which brought contemporary African art to the attention of European audiences. For many in the international realm, it was the first time seeing this work in a serious context, and Simon Okeke stood out for his ability to blend realism with his innate Nigerian cultural influence and add a contemporary flare. This made a strong impression on international curators and collectors alike, and his participation in exhibitions like these helped elevate the status of Nigerian modernism in global art discourse. As with his Zaria Rebel counterparts, Simon Okeke left a significant imprint on future generations of artists through his drive to reshape Nigerian art. Today, his works are held in private and public collections, and continue to be celebrated in retrospectives that examine the lasting influence of the Zaria Art Society and Nigerian modernism.
His dedication to realism combined with the Natural Synthesis philosophy established a high-level of practice for artists seeking to blend traditional forms with modern techniques, providing a roadmap for those wishing to rebel against the status quo and celebrate their identity. This rebellion can still be seen in the work of younger generations, such as contemporary Nigerian artists Peju Alatise and Ndidi Emefiele, who, while more conceptual in their approach, carry the ethos of Okeke's generation. Additionally, the influence of technical prowess continues to be seen through their appreciation of detailed figuration and texture, even as they explore new media, and the ability to capture the essence of the subject in a way that honours both their humanity and context continues to resonate, serving as a reminder that art can be both technically proficient and deeply connected to identity. While Simon Okeke was not directly an educator, the intellectual discussions on shaping a unique Nigerian identity that he was part of in the Zaria Art Society have had lasting effects on how art is taught in Nigeria. His insistence that artists should define themselves on their own terms, rather than through the lens of European art traditions, is a key principle in many contemporary art curriculums across Nigeria today, influencing how young Nigerian artists see themselves as not just creators, but cultural ambassadors and critical thinkers who contribute to the broader dialogue on identity, history, and modernity. His work serves as a living textbook on the balance of artistic mastery and cultural relevance, and his involvement in the Zaria Art Society's movement towards Natural Synthesis continues to be studied in art schools and programs across Nigeria. Okeke's focus on technique—particularly his use of chiaroscuro and texture—remains an inspiration for students of realism, while his integration of traditional African motifs encourages students to explore their own cultural heritage as part of their artistic journey.
In reflecting on the life and work of Simon Okeke, it’s clear just how monumental his passion for this unique art form and the Nigerian identity was. Through his involvement with the Zaria Art Society and his participation in groundbreaking exhibitions, Okeke and his contemporaries truly made a rare and holistic blueprint for future generations to follow. His legacy, preserved through his innovative techniques and philosophical approach to art, continues to inspire artists beyond geographical borders, and his influence endures as a testament to the power of art; to bridge cultural divides, honour identity through creative expression, and celebrate our authentic and unique vision.