The Zaria Rebels: Simon Okeke

Published 26 September 2024 in The Legacy

Uche Okeke Legacy Editorial

Simon Okeke is a distinguished Nigerian artist known for his exceptional skill in creating realistic portraits and breathtaking landscapes. His profound ability to capture the intricate details of his subjects and his deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world have firmly established him as a significant figure in the Nigerian art scene. Okeke’s work has garnered widespread admiration and acclaim, not only within Nigeria but also on the international stage, with exhibitions in major art centers such as Paris, London, and New York.

Simon Okeke’s artistic journey began in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, in 1938, where he was immersed in a culturally rich environment that would shape his future as an artist. Influenced by the vibrant traditions and natural beauty surrounding him, Okeke exhibited a remarkable talent for drawing and painting from an early age. His formal education in art further refined his skills and solidified his commitment to realism, a style that would become his hallmark.

The Zaria Art Society

Simon Okeke’s involvement with the Zaria Art Society marked a pivotal point in his artistic development. As one of the core members, Okeke played an integral role in shaping the philosophy and direction of the group which sought to challenge the imposed art education prevalent in Nigeria at the time. Formed in 1958 by a group of young, ambitious students at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology in Zaria (NCAST), the Zaria Art Society, affectionately known as the Zaria Rebels, rejected the Eurocentric curriculum that prioritised Western art forms, techniques, and values, instead advocating for an approach that blended these aspects with traditional African forms, giving birth to the concept of Natural Synthesis.

For Okeke, the movement was as much a philosophical awakening as it was an artistic rebellion. Natural Synthesis encouraged Nigerian artists to embrace their cultural heritage and elevate it to the same level as the European elements of modern art, thus creating a uniquely Nigerian modernism. This philosophy resonated deeply with Okeke, whose own practice already sought to balance realism with a distinctly Nigerian voice, and, under the banner of the Zaria Art Society, Okeke and his peers - Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, Bruce Onobrakpeya, and Yusuf Grillo - set out to redefine Nigerian art by embracing indigenous artistic traditions, while remaining open to new forms of expression from all areas of inspiration. During this time, his work began to reflect a stronger engagement with his Nigerian identity. His experiences in the society influenced him to delve deeper into his cultural roots, which was particularly evident in his exploration of Igbo Uli designs and the symbolic motifs that frequently appeared in his paintings. 

The Zaria Art Society was not only a platform for free artistic expression and experimentation, but a one for intellectual exchange and collaboration. The society’s discussions about the role of the artist in post-colonial Nigeria helped shape his understanding of the artist’s responsibility to reflect and critique the society in which they lived, and his work, which had always demonstrated technical mastery, began to take on a new layer of meaning during this period. The subjects of his portraits were no longer just figures rendered in lifelike detail; they became representations of Nigeria’s cultural and social diversity, embodying the complexity of the country’s post-colonial identity, and his landscapes, while rooted in realism, began to carry a deeper connection to the land itself, imbuing scenes of nature with cultural symbolism and a sense of national pride. 

Through his involvement with the Zaria Art Society, Okeke became part of a generation of Nigerian artists who were at the forefront of a cultural renaissance. Their aim was to create a unified and unique Nigerian identity that reflected all that had shaped the country thus far, and the ripples of their success can still be felt in the world today. 

Artistic Style and Techniques

Simon Okeke’s practice was deeply rooted in realism, a style characterized by detailed, lifelike representations that reflect the true essence of the subject. His portraits and landscapes are distinguished by their accuracy and depth, providing a vivid reflection of reality that captures not just the subject's outward appearance but also their inner essence. His realism extends beyond mere technical precision; it encompasses an emotional and psychological depth that allows his work to resonate profoundly with viewers.

Okeke’s masterful use of chiaroscuro was central to creating depth in his pieces. This technique of contrasting light and shadow adds a three-dimensional quality to his work, creating a dynamic interplay between light and dark that enhances the viewer’s experience by evoking mood and atmosphere. In Okeke’s hands, chiaroscuro became a way to breathe life into his subjects, and he understood how to use light to lead the viewer’s eye and guide the emotional tone of the piece. His mastery of the technique allowed him to add not only visual but emotional depth, using it to evoke a sense of tranquillity, tension, or introspection, and, by doing this,, he created a sense of space and volume that made his subjects appear almost tangible, as if they could step out of the canvas. The mastery of this technique gave his compositions with a timeless, atmospheric, and almost lifelike quality that drew viewers deeper into the narrative of the scene. Another well-known aspect of his practice was his meticulous attention to texture. His paintings exhibit an extraordinary ability to depict various surfaces with authenticity, from the rough bark of trees to the smooth texture of human skin, and this textural precision offered a tactile realism that engaged the viewer with the physicality of his subjects. In his depictions of aged faces, Okeke’s brush strokes emulated the wisdom and experience etched into the skin, and his attention to detail rendered the environment so vividly in his landscapes that every leaf felt as though it could be touched. His approach to texture contributed to the immersive quality of his work, inviting viewers to not only see but almost feel the elements within the painting. By doing so, Okeke acted as a bridge between the viewer and the subject, providing a heightened sensory experience and making the scene more intimate and immediate.

While Okeke’s work is firmly anchored in traditional realism, he is also known for incorporating innovative techniques that reflect his personal artistic vision, particularly seen in his blending of modern Western approaches with elements of African artistic traditions. This blended approach was influenced by the core philosophies of the Zaria Art Society, particularly their Natural Synthesis approach, and, like his peers, Okeke drew inspiration from traditional Nigerian art forms, particularly the geometric patterns and rhythmic compositions found in Igbo Uli designs and the symbolic art of the Yoruba. These references were most evident in his approach to line and form where he combined naturalistic portrayals with stylized patterns referencing the abstract, symbolic forms central to African art, but can also be seen in his treatment of space and colour. Okeke would flatten the background in certain works, reminiscent of the two-dimensional design traditions seen in African textiles and sculpture, while maintaining a lifelike portrayal of the foreground, and experimented with colour in ways that connected his work to African traditions. Rather than relying solely on the muted tones often associated with European realism, Okeke would infuse his compositions with vibrant, earth-toned palettes that echoed the hues of Nigerian landscapes and the colours of indigenous art forms. His ability to seamlessly merge these elements into his work created a visual language that was distinctly Nigerian and uniquely his, yet globally resonant.

His exploration of both classical Western techniques and African art traditions gave his paintings a duality that resonated with diverse audiences, allowing him to express his cultural identity while engaging with a global art dialogue. It was through this fusion of Western and African art traditions that Okeke's work came to occupy a unique space within Nigerian modernism, blending the two worlds to create a style that was distinctly his own. By intertwining these influences, Okeke helped redefine realism in Nigerian art, expanding the boundaries of what it could express, and, in doing so, contributed to a broader appreciation of the genre both locally and internationally.