Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Uche Okeke. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1958, this black‑and‑white lithograph by Nigerian artist Uche Okeke is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work presents a solitary figure rendered in bold, undulating lines that give the impression of movement despite the static pose.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure wears an elaborate feathered headdress and richly patterned robes. Simplified facial features—large eyes and a small mouth—contrast with the intricate decorative motifs on the clothing, suggesting a blend of personal identity and cultural symbolism.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the print relies on thick, wavering lines that convey a sense of kinetic energy. The artist’s use of stark contrast and repetitive swirls emphasizes texture and rhythm, hallmarks of Okeke’s graphic approach during the late 1950s.
History & Provenance
After its completion in 1958, the lithograph entered the holdings of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s early interest in African modernist printmaking.
Context
Okeke was a leading figure in the Nigerian artistic movement that sought to integrate indigenous visual vocabularies with contemporary techniques. This work exemplifies his exploration of traditional motifs—such as feathered regalia—within a modern print medium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christopher Uchefuna Okeke, also known as Uche Okeke, was an illustrator, painter, sculptor, and teacher. He was an art and aesthetic theorist, seminal to Nigerian modernism.
