Portrait of Peter Uka by Kai Schmidt. Courtesy of Mariane Ibrahim

Ep.197 Peter Uka (b. 1975, Nigeria; lives and works in Cologne, Germany) devises figurative paintings which draw from his childhood memories of Nigeria. With a classical training in realistic figuration Uka combines various image references of time specific objects with images from his memory to convey innate and timeless human emotion.

Scenes of growing up in Nigeria, including elements like afro hairstyles and bell-bottom jeans, bright mannerisms, and local customs are captured in vibrant, visual narrative.  His compositions also capture international trends from the late 20th century and the ways globalization connects countries around the world. These narratives uncover historical precedents of globalization and dynamic cultural signifiers connecting two countries that Uka calls home, while reminding the rest of the world of collective reciprocity, closeness, and connection.

Uka completed his studies in 2017 at the  Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf (Germany) and has exhibited at National Museum Onikan (Lagos, Nigeria), Haus der Kunst (Munich, Germany),  Kunsthaus  Mettman (Germany) and DIDI Museum (Lagos, Nigeria). His work has been shown at the Flag Art Foundation and is included in collections such as the Long Museum.

Marian Ibrahim  https://marianeibrahim.com/press/247-peter-uka-galerie-magazine/

Financial Times https://marianeibrahim.com/press/115-peter-uka-financial-times-weekend/

Long Museum https://marianeibrahim.com/news/89-being-in-the-world-peter-uka-i-long-museum/

Flag Art Foundation https://marianeibrahim.com/news/68-peter-uka-remembrance-peter-uka-the-flag-art-foundation/

Colossal  https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/03/peter-uka-portraits/

Culture Type https://www.culturetype.com/2022/01/12/longing-new-paintings-by-peter-uka-channel-fond-memories-of-nigeria-this-for-me-is-a-moment-in-time-a-time-when-all-was-well-all-was-good/

Newcity Art https://art.newcity.com/2022/01/10/unapologetically-authentic-a-review-of-peter-uka-at-mariane-ibrahim/

It’s Nice That https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/peter-uka-art-080421

African Digital Art  https://www.africandigitalart.com/on-painting-nigerian-contemporary-artist-peter-uka/

Galerie Magazine https://galeriemagazine.com/5-must-see-exhibitions-see-paris-month/

The Jealous Curator https://thejealouscurator.substack.com/p/art-delivery-112323

WhiteWall https://whitewall.art/art/best-paris-exhibitions-art-imitating-life/

Juxtapoz  https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/magazine/features/peter-uka-abc-to-xyz/

Metal Magazine https://metalmagazine.eu/en/post/peter-uka

W Magazine https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/peter-uka-longing-mariane-ibrahim-gallery-interview

Artnet https://www.artnet.com/artists/peter-uka/

First Ride, 2023
Photo Fabrice Gousset
Courtesy of Mariane Ibrahim

Elbow Room, 2023. Detail 6
Photo Fabrice Gousset
Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim

Alone and I, 2023. Detail 5
Photo Fabrice Gousset
Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim