Peter Uka’s rich figurative paintings draw from his childhood memories of Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s, a period of significant transformation, political upheaval and social change in the newly independent nation. His works often capture moments of quiet interaction or depict individuals looking directly at the viewer, creating a bridge between the present and the past. His signature nearly life-sized canvases, create a powerful – often joyful – dialogue between the Nigeria of Uka’s early childhood and today.

Hurvin Anderson, who selected Uka for Artist-to-Artist 2024, explained his choice: ‘When I first encountered Peter’s work I enjoyed being immersed in his depictions of Nigerian life. I find his storytelling is so powerful and the palette is deep and rich. I respect his devotion to colour and that he is free with it, never holding back. His work has a forthright confidence in centring the Black figure while the figures themselves are self-possessed, have swagger, even. I like the reclamation in this. The paintings are evocatively stylised snapshots of memory and reverberate with joy.’

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