Uche Okpa-Iroha heeft zichzelf leren fotograferen om de gewone omgeving en het dagelijkse leven in Nigeria vast te leggen. Hij beschouwt zijn afbeeldingen als een petitie zonder woorden en zet de zaken die wij negeren, graag in de schijnwerpers. Sinds zijn verblijf op de Rijksakademie experimenteert Okpa-Iroha met schilderkunst, geïnspireerd door John Baldessari en Andy Warhol. Het werken in Nederland heeft hem aan het denken gezet over zijn identiteit: ben ik allereerst Afrikaan en dan kunstenaar, of andersom? In zijn nieuwste werk verkent hij identiteitsproblemen binnen een andere culturele omgeving.
Uche Okpa-Iroha started as a self-taught photographer to document habitual surroundings and everyday life in Nigeria. He sees his images as a petition without words, and likes to bring the things we ignore to the forefront. Since his residency at the Rijksakademie, Okpa-Iroha experiments with painting, inspired by John Baldessari and Andy Warhol. Working in the Netherlands has made him think more about his identity: am I African first, then an artist, or vice versa? His latest work explores issues of identity in a different cultural environment.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
1997
Bachelors of Technology Degree in Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, NG
Residencies
2011
Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten/ Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, NL
2010
'Passages' Residency, Musee des Confluences and Jean Paul Blachere Fondation, Lyon, FR
2010
On Independence and the Ambivalence of promise Residency, Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, NG
2010
Photojournalism Workshop, Facilitated by Jide Adeniyi-Jones and organized by Timbuktu Media, Lagos, NG
2005
Apprenticeship at Photo Garage Photography, Lagos, NG
2010
Internship at World Kidney Fund (WKF), National Kidney Foundation (NKF), SG
Fellowships/Stipends
2011
Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken/ICE
Awards
2010
Nominee ‘Growth’ Prix Pictet Award, Paris, FR
2009
The Seydou Keita Prize for the Best Photographic Creation, Bamako Encounters, ML
2009
Recipient, Fondation Jean Paul Blachere Prize, Lyon, FR
2007
First Runner up, Life in My City Art and Photography Competition, Enugu, NG
Exhibitions/Projects
2011
Invisible Borders Road Trip Lagos-Addis Ababa group project
2011
African Emerging Photography, Paris Photo, Paris, FR
2011
Under Bridge Life & Finding Rest, Galerie Photo Fnac Forum, Paris, FR
2011
Idea of Africa (re-invented), Centre de la Photographie, Geneva, CH
2011
Africa: See you, See me, Associazione Culturale Officine Fotograficine, IT
2011
Les Nuits de Pierrevert Festival of Photography, Pierrevert, FR
2010
The Idea of Africa (re-invented) #1, Kunsthalle, Bern, CH
2010
Africa: See You, See Me, Lisbon, PT
2010
Uprooting the Gaze: Foreign Places, Familiar Patterns. Brighton Photo Fringe, Brighton, GB
2010
Bamako in Toronto Ryerson Gallery and Research Centre, Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, Autograph ABP and The Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, CA
2010
Invisible Borders Road Trip Lagos – Dakar Group Project.
2010
‘Under Bridge life’: Exhibition of Bamako Encounters, MA
2010
‘Under bridge life’: Exhibition of Bamako Encounters, Johannesburg, ZA
2010
‘Under Bridge Life’: Exhibition of Bamako Encounters, Brussels, BE
2010
‘Under Bridge Life’: Exhibition of Bamako Encounters, Antwerp, BE
2009
8th Bamako Encounters, Biennial of African Photography, Bamako, ML
2009
Invisible Borders Road Trip Lagos-Bamako Group Project
2009
Second Photo Africa Contest, Exhibition, Tarifa, ES
2009
10th Havana Biennial (Black Box Photography Collective Group Exhibition), Havana, CU
2009
Pride! – Portrait Photography Exhibition, Goethe Institut, Lagos, NG
2008
Portrait Photography workshop, Goethe Institut, Lagos, NG
2008
Energy of the City, A CORA Exhibition, Lagos, NG
2008
Loving Lagos, Exhibition, Berlin, DE
2008
First Photo Africa Contest, Exhibition, Tarifa, ES
2008
Body landscapes Photography Workshop at the Goethe Institut, Lagos, NG
2008
Paris-Lagos Exchange Project, Workshop and Exhibition, Lagos, NG
2007
Life in My City Art and Photography Exhibition and Competition, Enugu.
2007
Lagos - City at Work (A group Book Publication)
2007
Nocturnal Vibrations (Black Box Photography Collective) at the Goethe Institut, Lagos, NG
2006
Football Worlds: A Photography workshop/exhibition organized by the Goethe Institut, Lagos, NG
Articles and reviews
2012
Kunstbeeld, 'Je moet twee keer nadenken voordat je schiet', Sandra Spijkerman, issue 3, pp. 60-67
Memberships
2009-present
Invisible Borders Trans-Africa Photography Group, Member
2006-present
Black Box Photography Collective, Member
2003-2007
Education Sub Committee, International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF), Member
2001-2003
International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF), Member Board of Directors
Untitled 2, 2011, mixed media, 60x80 cm
