Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy
Encyclopedia
Chinwe Ifeoma Chukwuogo-Roy MBE
(born in Awka
, Anambra State
, Nigeria
) is a visual artist who has lived in Britain
since 1975. Her paintings, prints and sculptures are predominantly figurative
, in the genres of portrait
ure, still-life, landscape
and narrative subjects.
She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.
. In 2002, the artist completed an official portrait of Queen Elizabeth, commissioned by The Commonwealth to mark the Golden Jubilee
of the British head of state. The artist has exhibited throughout Britain, as well as internationally. Her work is represented in public and private collections in Antigua, Argentina, Australia, France, Grenada, Holland, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Moçambique, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, U.A.E, United Kingdom and U.S.A.
(now part of Middlesex University
) in 1978.
. Chukwuogo-Roy’s work appeared on the national postage stamps of seven countries during 2006.
. In 2008, she was invited to address the Cambridge Union.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born in Awka
Awka
Awka is the capital of Anambra State, Nigeria with an estimated population of 301,657 Nigerian census. The city is located about 600 miles east of Lagos in the centre of the densely-populated Igbo heartland in southeastern Nigeria...
, Anambra State
Anambra State
Anambra is a state in south-eastern Nigeria. Its name is an anglicized version of the original 'Oma Mbala', the native name of the Anambra River. The Capital and the Seat of Government is Awka. Onitsha and Nnewi are the biggest commercial and industrial cities, respectively. The state's theme is...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
) is a visual artist who has lived in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
since 1975. Her paintings, prints and sculptures are predominantly figurative
Figurative art
Figurative art, sometimes written as figurativism, describes artwork—particularly paintings and sculptures—which are clearly derived from real object sources, and are therefore by definition representational.-Definition:...
, in the genres of portrait
Portrait
thumb|250px|right|Portrait of [[Thomas Jefferson]] by [[Rembrandt Peale]], 1805. [[New-York Historical Society]].A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness,...
ure, still-life, landscape
Landscape
Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
and narrative subjects.
She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.
Collections and exhibitions
Examples of Chukwuogo-Roy's work are held in many public and private art collections, including that of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and that of His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, (formerly) President of NigeriaNigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. In 2002, the artist completed an official portrait of Queen Elizabeth, commissioned by The Commonwealth to mark the Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
of the British head of state. The artist has exhibited throughout Britain, as well as internationally. Her work is represented in public and private collections in Antigua, Argentina, Australia, France, Grenada, Holland, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Moçambique, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, U.A.E, United Kingdom and U.S.A.
Education
Chukwuogo-Roy obtained a B.A. Hons. Degree in Graphic Design at Hornsey College of ArtHornsey College of Art
Hornsey College of Art is a former college centred in Crouch End, London, England. Since 2008, the building has been a part of Coleridge Primary School, upon its expansion to four form entry...
(now part of Middlesex University
Middlesex University
Middlesex University is a university in north London, England. It is located in the historic county boundaries of Middlesex from which it takes its name. It is one of the post-1992 universities and is a member of Million+ working group...
) in 1978.
Concepts
Chukwuogo-Roy's naturalistic portraiture is usually optimistic or celebratory in tone. However, she has also created many works that, according to Sandra Gibson, writing for 'Nerve' elicit "complex feelings of desperation, dread and aspiration". Notable among such works are her 'Migrants' series and her 'Slavery' series. Chukwuogo-Roy has won many awards and has featured prominently in the international media, both for her art and also for her charitable and educational work with young people. These considerable achievements have led her to be widely regarded as a positive role-model for many people worldwide. In 2003 she represented the United Kingdom at the European Council Committee in Paris advising on Contemporary African Art and Artists, and later that year was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of East AngliaUniversity of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
. Chukwuogo-Roy’s work appeared on the national postage stamps of seven countries during 2006.
Related Practice
A recent biography published by Tamarind, is now studied by children in the UK as part of the National Curriculum. In 2003, the artist was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of East AngliaUniversity of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
. In 2008, she was invited to address the Cambridge Union.