BIOGRAPHY
Chike obeagu is a multi-talented artist who finds creative expression through painting, photography, installation, printing, music, and poetry. He exhibited great interest in art during the early stages of his life, and had his first formal art lesson while in high school. In 1993 he enrolled to study Fine and Applied Arts at the
A highly dedicated contemporary Nigerian artist and an untiring experimentalist, Chike has been able to carve for himself a niche in the art circle and in his search for profound artistic expressions. He explores diverse creative mediums, integrating them to create unique tactile pictorial surfaces. The unity of design is achieved by a binding organisation of parts, lending a somewhat complex but strong directness, even bluntness of mastery of technique that gives his paintings a peculiar expressive force.
His works are the final result of the processing of diverse thematic materials and ideas. Their interpretations are constructed around the vast elements of the theory and practice of dualism inspired by various environments, experiences, interactions, events, visions, prophesies, anger, excitements, and all that attribute to life. They are pictorial narratives of issues we influence and that influence and affect each one of us. He paint, drip, incise, cut, weave, paste, pour, burn, scratch, and employ every form of technical manoeuvre to arrive at a unique visual statement.
He is presently the principal curator/exhibition co-ordinator of Kambani Art
A multi-talented artist, Chike finds creative expression through painting, music, poetry, and photography.
CAREER OBJECTIVE: To contribute to the development and upliftment of
Nigerian Arts and Culture in Africa and the world
EDUCATION: 2000-2003: Master of Fine and Applied Arts, (MFA)
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
1992/93-1998: Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA)
Second Class Honours (Upper Division), UNN
CONTACT ADDRESS: Obeagu, Chike Chinazom
Snatchart Studio
N0 3 Lawyers Avenue
Abakpa-Nike, P.O.Box 3288
Enugu, Nigeria, West Africa
Email: snatchart@yahoo.com, chike@kambani.com
TEL: +234(0)8034313105, +234(0)8054521762
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS/DISPLAYS:
2007 “Photo Exhibition”, Exhibition Hall, Alliance Francaise, Enugu
2007 “Faces of Despair” Exhibition Space, School of Ecumenical Studies, (Solo)
2006 “Thupelo International Artists Workshop Exhibition”, ELC Art and Craft Centre, Rorke’s Drift, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
2006 “Hopes and Impediments”, Alliance Francaise/Protea Hotels Enugu, (Solo)
2006 “Africa Within; Many Eyes One Soul” Royal Commonwealth Society Club Northernland Avenue, London.
2006 “Pair a Picture”; Guild Hall Gallery, London,
2006 “Screen Nations Award”, Hilton Parks Lane, London.
2006 “The Changing Face of Africa”, USB Investment Bank, Liverpool Street, London.
2006 “Expressions!!”; A Touring exhibition of Children’s Creative writing. National Gallery of Art, Lagos,-Silverbird Galleria, Lagos,- Nike Art and Cultural Centre,Abuja,- Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, - Protea Hotels, Nike-Lake Resort, Enugu.
2006 “Africa Within; Many Eyes One Soul” Royal Common Wealth Society Club, Northernland avenue, London.
2006 “Making Poverty History”, HM Treasury, London. Sponsored by Barclay’s bank and Allen and Ovary Part of Black History.
2006 “Nigeria Art Exhibition” Part of Dark’Art Biennial, Dakar, Senegal
2006 “ Making Poverty History”, HM Treasury, London. Sponsored by Barclay’s bank and Allen&Every as part of Black History Month.
2006 “Best of Nigerian Expo”, Excel Exhibition Centre, Dockland,
2005 “Unclaimed Luggage Exhibition,” Sala Antonis Palacios, Circulo de Bella Artes, Madrid, Spain, February 3 – 27, 2005
2005 “The 13th Annual Exhibition of the Visual Orchestra”, French Cultural Centre, Abuja.
2004: “The Rediscovery of Tradition”, (Pendulum Art Gallery) Lagos, (Alliance Francaise) Enugu, (Jean Welz Gallery), Worcester, South Africa
2004 “Fitness First”, 261-275 High Road, IIford, Essex,
2004 “100 Blackmen of London”, Unit 24, Travern Quay Commercial Centre, Rope Street, London SE 167TX.
2004 “Empire Strikes Black”, Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, Hackney London E8.
2004 “Henry Ford Equity Investments;" Property Millionaires Charity Ball. The Radisson Edwardan Hotel, Heathrow, London.
2004 “Barclay’s Bank Diversity Convention," Murray Howe,1 Royal Mint Court, London. 29th July, 2004
2004 “Kessington and Chealsea’s " Lead to Succeed” Conference, Royal Borough of Kessington and Chelsea Great Hall, Horton Street, London. 9th July, 2004
2004 “The Nude Figure Never Sleeps II”; PACA Peace Effort, Alliance Francaise, Enugu.
2004 “Out of Africa”: The East London Small Business Centre, Stratford, London.
2004 “Altars of Terror”, Maison de France, Ikoyi, Lagos.
2004 “Images of Africa II”, Epping Studio Gallery, IIford, Essex, London
2004 “Images of Africa I”, Alliance Francaise, Enugu.
2004 “Salt of the Earth”; Women and Children in Society, Alliance Francaise, Enugu.
2003 “Homage to Asele” In honour of Prof. Uche Okeke, National Museum, Lagos.
2003. "MFA Degree Exhibition," Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
2002 “Artitudes”, The New Arts Theatre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
2001 “Visual Orchestra 2001”; The 11th Annual Exhibition of Visual Orchestra. Nimbus Art Gallery, Lagos.
2001 “Footprints”, Ana Gallery, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
2000 “Between two Cities “, Government House Jigawa State (Solo).
1998 “Drawings II;" An Exhibition of Drawings, Faculty of Arts Building, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
1997 “Drawing I”: An Exhibition of Drawings, Ana Gallery, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
1997 “The Pusle of Reason”, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS:
2007- Photography Workshop (organized by The Centre Culturel Francaise, Abuja, in partnership with Alliance Francaise Enugu).
2006- Thupelo International Workshop, Rorkes Drift, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, November,
2006- Coordinated Schools and Children for Kambani Creative Writing and Painting Workshop, Abuja, Lagos, and Enugu, May, 2006.
2004- Re-interrogating the Visual Arts Curriculum and Standards in Nigerian Universities and other institutions.
2002- The Pan-African Conference on the Status, Role and Working Condition of the Artist in Africa (organized under the auspices of The Pan-African Circle of Artists with the support of the Prince Claus Fund of The Netherlands), National Museum, Enugu.
2002 – The Pan-African Circle of Artists Peace Workshop.
2002 – Roundtable Conference of The Pan-African Circle of Artists at Viv’s Gallery, (within the framework of Afrika Heritage 2002).Theme: “Harnessing and exploiting the Arts – Cultural Possibilities for Development in the face of the Socio-political Turn in Africa.”
2002 – Roundtable Conference of The Pan-African Circle of Artists at the Pendulum Art Gallery, Lagos (within the frame work of Afrika Heritage 2002) Theme: “In search of New Paradigm – Art in the Throes of a coerced Transition.”
WORKS IN NOTABLE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SPACE:
Collection of HM Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales.
Collection of Oprah Winfrey.
Collection of Thiery Henry of Arsenal Football Club.
Collection of President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Federal Republic of Nigeria.
House of Assembly complex, Federal republic of Nigeria, Abuja.
Collection of Senator Ken Nnamani, President Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Lion build, government House, Enugu
Collection of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, Executive Governor of Enugu State, Nigeria
Collection of Dr. Sam Egwu, Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Collection of Dr. Peter Odili, Executive Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria
Collection of Dr. Achike Udenwa, Executive Governor of Imo State, Nigeria
Collection of Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu, Executive Governor of Abia State, Nigeria
Mega Life Mural installed in the new Arts Theatre,University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
AWARDS:
2004 - Vision Enhancer Art Award
2000 - Jigawa State NYSC Merit Award for Community Development through Art
1990 - Best Art Student JSS, NHS
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS/ RESEARCH/REFRENCES/REVIEWS:
“Crucibles”, An Anthology of Poems, Mahogany books, Lagos, Nigeria.
“Passion of the Muse”, A Collection of Poems, Fegno Press, Enugu, Nigeria.
“Hopes and Impediments; Exploration in multi-media”, MFA research work.
“Shrine Art in Eha-Amufu; A Critical Survey”, BA research work
“The Artist and His Mind” A Review of Olarenwaju Tejuoso’s Work
“Art for Art Sake”: Towards more Conceptual Concepts-A Study of the Artist and External Influences, Unpublished Material.
Prof.Chike Aniakor, “Alluring Images and Resonant Colours”, The Punch,18 Dec,2006
Ovo Oghene A touch of genius, Vanguard Newspaper, January 18, 2007
Maimona Jallow: “Image makers”, BBC Focus on Africa, July- October Edition, 2005
Tony Show: “The Art of Africa”, Aspire Magazine, October/November Edition 2004,
R.Waite: “Those who paved the way in Visual Art…Out of Africa”; Black Heritage Magazine October/November Edition 2004,
“Five Artists from Nsukka School”. BBC Focus on Africa. January - March Edition 2000
Tanko Okoduwa:” The Experimentalists:" Thisday Daily, 20 January, 2007
Poems, Articles, Drawings and Paintings have been published in National and International Journals
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Curator, “Images of Africa”
Curator, “Enhancing our Image”
Curator, “Expressions”
Member, Jury Committee Kambani Arts Award
Principal Curator / Exhibition Co-ordinator, Kambani Arts, 2003-Date.
Director of Information/Curator, Pax-Africana Foundation. 2000- Date
Director MUSE Art Studio 2003-Date
Member, organizing Committee, “Homage to Asele”, “Triumph of Asele” (Colloquium and Exhibitions) organised by Art in Africa Project-2003 Member, Jury Committee
The Art Republic Peace Poster/Exhibition, 2006 Member organizing committee, Afrika Heritage, the 5th Biennale of The Pan African Circle of Artists. 2004 Member organizing committee, the Pan-African Circle of Artists and The Art Republic, National Conference on Re-Interrogating the Visual Arts Curriculum and Standards in Nigerian Universities and other institutions, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, 2004
AFFILIATIONS/ASSOCIATION:
Member, Pan African Circle of Artists.
Member, Visual Orchestra Group of Exhibiting Artists
Member, Society of Nigerian Artists.
Member, Artists with Attitude
Member Shutter Photo Group
INTRESTS AND SKILLS Painting, Research, Reading, Writing, Sports, among others.
An Individual and a Team Worker
www.kambani.com, www.panafricanartists.org, www.artistswithattitude.com