Our own WS

Obiora Udechukwu, born on June 4, 1946, in Agulu, Nigeria, is a key figure in contemporary African art. Early exposure to uli murals and the trauma of the Biafran War deeply influenced his work. Educated under the colonial system, he transferred from Ahmadu Bello University to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, due to anti-Igbo pogroms. At Nsukka, he became a central figure in the post-war art movement, earning his MFA and conducting significant research on Igbo uli art. His work reflects themes of resilience, cultural identity, and the fusion of traditional and modern aesthetics.

This watercolor painting by Udechukwu is a tribute to the intersection of art and literature. The composition, rich with colors like blue, yellow, red, green, and brown, is centered around a poem dedicated to "WS," likely a reference to Wole Soyinka, Nigeria's literary icon.