Gerald Chukwuma

Gerald Chukwuma
Born1973 (age 52–53)
Enugu, Nigeria
Education
OccupationsVisual artist, sculptor and painter

Gerald Chukwuma (born 1973) is a Nigerian visual artist, sculptor and painter. He is known for his intricate mixed-media sculptures using materials like aluminum, copper and wood. His work explores themes of voluntary and forced migration, globalisation and transformation, incorporating elements of the Uli art tradition.

Early life and education

Chukwuma was born in 1973 in Enugu State, Nigeria. He attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he studied Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine and applied arts, he graduated in 2003.

Career

Chukwuma has joined other Nigerian veteran artists in several exhibitions like Ebenezer Akinola, George Edozie and Olusegun Adejumo.

Chukwuma's 2025 solo exhibition "Water Carried Us Here, Water Will Carry Us Away" was inspired by the Igbo Landing, in which captive Igbo people committed mass suicide in Georgia in 1803 after having taken control of the slave ship they were on and refusing to submit to slavery. The title is a reference to a song believed to have been sung by the enslaved Igbos as they marched into the ocean.

Exhibitions

Selected solo exhibitions

Selected group exhibitions

References

  1. ↑ Ogidan, Ladun (5 June 2017). "ART AND CREATIVE POSSIBILITIES ACCORDING TO GERALD CHUKWUMA". omenkaonline.com. Archived from the original on 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  2. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche, Nigerian artist turns trash into art | DW | 23.09.2019, retrieved 2021-08-15
  3. ↑ ""Art is in the brain, not the hand"- Gerald Chukwuma". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  4. 1 2 Richardson, Kalia (29 June 2022). "U.S.T.A. and the Armory Show to Bring 5 Artists to the U.S. Open". The New York Times.
  5. 1 2 3 Okeke-Korieocha, Ifeoma (8 March 2025). "Gerald Chukwuma's new solo exhibition pays homage to 'The Igbo Landing'". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria.
  6. ↑ "Gerald Chukwuma - Biography". ODA Art. Retrieved 21 October 2026.
  7. ↑ Lawal, Nurudeen (2019-09-30). "Nigerian Gerald Chukwuma rose from street hawker to become world-famous artist". Legit.ng. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  8. ↑ "The Masters' Pieces". This Day. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  9. ↑ "Art of Charity from the Genesis Artists". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2023-03-28.[permanent dead link]
  10. ↑ "Gerald Chukwuma's 'People's Paradise' opens March 21 | Premium Times Nigeria". 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  11. ↑ "Chukwuma opens People's Paradise for art lovers". The Punch. 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  12. ↑ "After lockdown, Chukwuma takes Dance of Spirit to Berlin". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 2020-06-07. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  13. ↑ "Exhibition Gerald Chukwuma – Kristin Hjellegjerde Berlin | ART at Berlin". ART at Berlin | Contemporary Art | Ausstellungen | Galerien | Museen | Galerieführer | Kunst | Map. 2020-05-01. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  14. ↑ "1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair". Archived from the original on 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2021-08-16.