McBede Okpara
Biography
McBede Okpara was born in Ekwerazu Town in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State in 1969 and attended the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu from 1991 to 1995 and graduated in sculpture. He is a member of the Ajegunle Artist Association(AAA), Badagry Association of Contemporary Artists (BACA) and a member of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) Lagos Chapter.
Artist Statement
The body of works is comprised of dimensions. The first is the Artist, the second is the Art Piece then followed by the Viewer and last but not least the Lingering memory. All the works are regardless rather in absentia of human elements, this is purely deliberate and cliche. The artist hitherto purposefully engages the viewer in a meticulous collaboration of completing a visual puzzle, perpetually attempting to fix the human angle. The fourth dimension implies therefore the endless possibilities by the viewer to constantly, momentarily always motivated to work seemingly looking inwards to completing an admired piece. Less we forget the artistic mind is Silent, Still, Engaging yet Dynamic and Indestructibly Active.
Exhibitions
PACA in 1995 at the DIDI Museum Lagos, titled AFRIKA HERITAGE.
National Gallery of Art, Lagos, titled NIGERIA '99, in preparation of Nigeria hosting the World Cup.
TREASURES IN THE JUNGLE, with the (AAA) Ajegunle Artists Association, at the National Museum Onikan Lagos in 2006.
TALENTS, the Ford Foundation sponsored grant and exhibition at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos in 2007.
The Society of Nigerian Artists' October Rain 2013.
Signature Sogal art Auction, tilted PREMIER, Porsche Building, Akin Adeshola, Victoria Island Lagos, in 2014.
The Nigeria High Commission in Kenya sponsored an exhibition titled, CELEBRATING THE NIGERIA INDEPENDENCE, Kenya 2014.
Signature Sogal art Auction tilted, TALENT, Porsche Building, Akin Adeshola, Victoria Island Lagos, 2016.
Society of Nigerian Artists' October Rain 2017.
