Uche okeke biography

Nigerian artist

Christopher Uchefuna Okeke (listen^ⓘ; April 30, 1933 – January 5, 2016), also known as Uche Okeke (listen^ⓘ), was an illustrator, painter, sculptor, and teacher.

He was an art and aesthetic theorist, seminal to Nigerian modernism.

Background

Christopher Uchefuna Okeke was born on 30 April 1933 in Nimo,^[1]Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, located in the southeastern region of Nigeria, to Isaac Okonkwo Okeke and Monica Mgboye Okeke (née Okoye).

Between 1940 and 1953, he attended St. Peter Claver's (Primary) School, Kafanchan, Metropolitan College, Onitsha, and Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, Nigeria, during which time he had already begun to demonstrate an avid interest in drawing and painting.

Before being admitted to read Fine Art at Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST), now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Okeke had already exhibited taxidermy work during the Field Society meeting in Jos Museum, par