Uchay Joel Chima is a multidisciplinary Nigerian artist. He graduated in 1997 from the Art School of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu. Since graduation, he has been a studio artist, amid enthralling works and exhibitions in prominent galleries and museums in Nigeria, South Africa, Canada, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
His technique marks him out. Uchay is known for his eclectic use of alluring materials and unique artistic process, often questioning environmental and social issues around the world. His works have continued to evolve, remaining relevant to developments in contemporary art.
Moreover, he has been weaving a tapestry of memory, imagination, societal happenings and emotion, while also combining various found objects, including strings, sand, wax, charcoal, old sacks, with paint and other mediums in an aesthetic that informs his oeuvre. He creates thought provoking presentations, which address the realities around us whilst employing a mixture of conventional and unconventional approaches in his unceasing explorations.
Read also: Eyamba Dafinone: Lagos art collector on the trail of missing artworks
Uchay was one of the four artists chosen through a competitive international selection process to take part in 2015/2016 Platteforum’s Artist Residency programme in Denver, Colorado. He has been in residence at Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont; Spark Box Studio in Ontario, Canada and also at the One Minute Foundation in Amsterdam, Netherlands. His works are featured at international auction houses including; Bonhams, Arthouse Contemporary and Lagos Art Auction.
Most recently, he held a workshop titled “Exploring Shadows and Textures” at SOTO Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, where the participants engaged him in interactive sessions and also gained invaluable insights into his artistic process.
He maintains a studio in Lagos and he is the founder and the artistic director of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Lagos.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
