Uche Okeke was a pioneer of modern Nigerian art, known for blending traditional Igbo forms with contemporary styles. Starting his career with a high-profile exhibition in 1954, he quickly made a name for himself.

A founding member of the Zaria Art Society, Okeke championed the idea of natural synthesis, using traditional Uli designs to shape a new African modernism. His work became a cornerstone of the Nsukka School, where he led the Fine Arts Department from 1970 to 1985.

Okeke’s art, which often incorporated Christian and Igbo folklore themes, gained international recognition, including a feature at the 1966 World Festival of Negro Arts in Dakar. His illustration for Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart aligned his visual work with a notable literary classic.