Yadichinma Ukoha-Kalu (b. 1995) is an experimental artist and illustrator based in Lagos, Nigeria. Her practice centres around the exploration of objects, space, and boundaries, expressed through a diverse range of media, including, drawing, sculpture, fabric, and technology.
Yadichinma consistently crafts multi-dimensional environments that blend surreal and abstract elements. Her fascination with the material world propels her to uncover connections and invent interactions between seemingly separate objects. She holds the belief that each object possesses its own unique world and system. This perspective is particularly pronounced in the realm of artefacts, where archival systems are generated through craft practices rooted in cultural history, specifically within the African context.
Yadichinma's work also aims to bridge the gap between traditional methodologies and contemporary practices. By intertwining these elements, she seeks to explore the rich tapestry of cultural heritage and foster a dialogue about world building.
EXHIBITIONS
December 2023 - In A Language of My Own / Maison Aissa Dione / Dakar, Senegal
August 2023 - A Plant You Cannot Kill / 16 by 16 Gallery / Lagos, Nigeria
November 2020 - Saffron in the Desert / Ko Artspace / Lagos, Nigeria
April 2019 - ASUSU / The Tree House / Lagos, Nigeria
March 2017 - Opening Shadows / WAFFLESNCREAM skate shop, Lagos
December 2015 - BIG 60, Crossing Borders / A Whitespace Creative Agency, Lagos
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
February 2023 - 154 Art Fair / Galerie Atiss Dakar / Marrakech, Morocco
September 2023 - Next To Something / FNB Art Joburg / 16 by 16 Gallery / Johannesburg, South Africa
December 2022 - Masking the Unseen / Duo Exhibition with Wale Matuluko / MILIKI, Lagos, Nigeria
October 2022 - We See, We Dream, We Hope / TAOH Africa / Alliance Francaise, Lagos, Nigeria
March 2022 - Africa NXT Art Pavillon / June Creative Art Advisory (JCAA) / Lagos, Nigeria
December 2021 - UBUNTU: I Am Because We Are / World Trade Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
December 2021 - The ( )ther Room / Centre for Contemporary Art / Lagos, Nigeria
November 2021 - Art X Lagos Fair / Ko Artspace, Lagos, Nigeria
November 2021 - Language as Material / Alliance Francaise, Lagos, Nigeria
August 2021 - Invincible Hands / Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Arts, Lagos, Nigeria
August 2021 - Lead From The Land, Virtual Exhibition / Hosted by Decolonising The Archive ( https://www.decolonisingthearchive.com/ )
July 2021 - Ink Drawings / June Creative Art Advisory, Lagos, Nigeria
October 2020 - Come Closer, Virtual Exhibition / Hosted by Office Impart Gallery, Berlin (https://online.officeimpart.com/ )
October 2019 - Which Kain Wine / H-Factor, Lagos
May 2019 - Self Preservation / Museum Of Contemporary Arts, Lagos
February 2019 - Growbox Project Showcase / Zeitz Mocaa Museum / Cape Town, South Africa
September 2018 - 16/16 residency showcase, 16by16 Gallery / Lagos, Nigeria
August 2018 - 16/16 residency showcase, Hazard Gallery / Johannesburg, SA
June 2018 - Mind At Work, AAF Lagos/ Lagos, Nigeria
April 2018 – The Tree House / Lagos, Nigeria
December 2017 - PRIZM Art Fair / Miami, USA
November 2017 - Art X Lagos / Stevenson Gallery Booth
October 2017 - ORISHA PRIZE / Group Exhibition for nominees / Gallerie Appartement, Paris
September 2017 - Mckinsey meets Art / Mckinsey Offices, Lagos
April 2017 - A painting today / STEVENSON Gallery, Capetown, SA
November 2016 - EHN / Group exhibition (Maki Oh & Lakin Ogunbanwo)/ - ART X Lagos.
March 2016 - Philosopher’s Muse / Lagos, Nigeria.
January 2016 - The Young Contemporaries / Rele Art Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria.
September 2015 - Woman In Bloom / Freedom Park, Lagos
RESIDENCIES
2023 - Maison Aissa Dione - In A Language of My Own - Curated by Jareh Das
2021 - Online Residency Program - LEAD FROM THE LAND - Curated by Beulah Ezeugo in collaboration with Decolonising The Archive (DTA) - https://decolonisingthearchive.space/
2020 - Residency program at the Tashkeel Studio, Dubai - Art Dubai, 2020 - A 6week artist residency held in dubai as part of the Art Dubai Art Fair, participating alongside 5 other african artists. - https://www.artdubai.ae/blog/residents-2020-africa-edition/
2018 - 16by16 South Africa Travel Residency - Collaboration with gallery 16by16 to facilitate exchange between the Lagos art community and the South African art community, particularly in capetown and johannesburg. - https://www.notion.so/AUG2018-YADICHINMA-UKOHA-KALU-AND-KADARA-ENYEASI-SOUTH-AFRICA-TRAVELLING-RESIDENCY-85740c9ff12c4cd1af8482f3b9d967da
PUBLICATIONS
https://arthouse-ng.com/artists/yadichinma-ukoha-kalu
https://theartmomentum.com/bubu-ogisi-yadichinma-ukoha-kalu/
https://www.omenkaonline.com/in-conversation-with-yadichinma/
https://www.harpersbazaararabia.com/culture/art/the-artists-you-need-to-know-about
http://aad-fund.org/projet/the-growbox-art-project/
http://www.orafrica.com/en/artists/yadichinma-ukoha-kalu/
VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVa78R_uQSg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KomAwilnGmo
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