By Alithnayn Abdulkareem

On Wednesday, October 4^th, visitors to Ikoyi were engaged in a private viewing of legendary Artist and professor, Obiora Udechukwu’s works. The first of the professor in a decade in Nigeria. The professor is known for emerging as a part of the artists belonging to the AKA circle of exhibiting artists, which included El-Anatsui, one of today’s most important contemporary artists from the continent. Obiora Udechukwu, in addition, is credited with resuscitating interest in the eastern Nigerian practice of Uli (the abstract and elegant drawing and painting of women’s bodies, and Nsibidi (an ancient photographic writing which is now being popularized by Victor Ehikamenor) forms of art.

The professor is known for his varied talents in the creative fields. Born on Nkwo, one of the four market days in Igbo custom, near Onitsha, he attended the University of Nsukka, where he eventually became a professor of Fine and Applied Arts, before moving to the United States of America, where he is currently based. The exhibition featured many previously unseen works, dominant with the Uli movement. To accompany the launch, is a previously published book, an academic study, and appreciation of his works.

This is part of the ongoing series at Constant Capital firm Ikoyi, which signals its ongoing dedication to the widespread appreciation of the creative arts in Nigeria. The exhibition was curated by Ugoma Adegoke, under her BLOOM Art Lagos gallery. She has previously exhibited JD Ojhai Ojeikhere’s works and Victor Ehikamenor. Every four months, there is a new exhibition at Constant Capital, which erected a room within its premises, dedicated solely to serve as an arts haven for lovers and academics alike.

Aside from visual art, the list of Obiora Udechukwu’s accomplishments is many. According to the exhibition booklet, “He has researched on Igbo minstrels and epics, he jointly wrote four plays in the Igbo language, and edited with Chinua Achebe, an anthology of Igbo poems called Aka Weta.” The exhibition was attended by corporate art lovers and art experts alike and was a resounding success.