Watermaid

Obiora Udechukwu, born on June 4, 1946, in Agulu, Nigeria, is a seminal figure in African contemporary art. His early life in southeastern Nigeria exposed him to uli murals, a traditional Igbo art form, which greatly influenced his artistic development. The Biafran War (1967–1970) left a lasting impact on his work, embedding themes of conflict, resilience, and cultural identity.

Educated under the Anglophone colonial system, Udechukwu began his studies at Ahmadu Bello University but transferred to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, due to anti-Igbo violence in northern Nigeria. During the war, he served in the Propaganda Unit and participated in workshops led by prominent figures like Gabriel Okara and Uche Okeke. After the war, he completed his bachelor's degree with a thesis on Igbo uli art and later earned his MFA in 1977. His work blends traditional Igbo aesthetics with modernist sensibilities, making him a central figure in the Nsukka art movement.

Udechukwu's Watermaid is his interpretation of the mermaid myth, rendered with a stylized, elongated neck and torso. The figure is adorned with beads around its neck, embodying the elegance often associated with these mythical creatures. Mermaids, typically depicted as having the upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish, are reimagined here in a linear, almost minimalist form. The background features uli symbols, including a mirror motif, referencing the traditional Igbo practice of body and wall painting.