Nwachukwu Ike, painter extraordinaire, passes on

There has been an outpouring of grief from all over the world following the announcement of the demise of Barrister Nwachukwu Ike, which sad incident occurred on May 3, 2020.
Nwachukwu studied English at the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and later read Law at the University of Lagos.
Called to the Nigerian bar in 2000, he worked as a human rights lawyer for three years with the Civil Liberties Organization of Nigeria (CLO) before emigrating to the United States of America, US, in 2004.
It was in the US that his passion for fine art which had been veiled from his days at Ife blossomed. Based in Sylmar, California, where he had his studio before his transition, Nwachukwu, born in Lagos in 1962, took the world’s art scene by storm in the short period of his sojourn.
Considered one of Nigeria’s post war and contemporary painters, Nwachukwu quickly became a master artist, whose works were sort after by art connoisseurs globally.
His delved into mixed media art, incorporating drawing and painting, influenced mostly by African masks and faces. He admitted that he is an expressionist, who creates subconsciously and works spontaneously.
He said, truly, that one would be confronted in his works, by a complexity of forms, part mystical, part spiritual. And the creations of this icon that has been snatched away, come with such emotive titles as The Purity of Imperfection, Unlearning Weary Rules, Between A Dirge and A Lullaby, Forms and Shadows, Old School Accents, Whe the Muse Lets You In, Nostalgic Reminiscences and Attitudinal Visage.
He became ArtHouse Contemporary Artist of the Month, participated in group exhibitions and had a solo exhibition in all of which his works received rave reviews.
The group exhibitions he took part in include The Tribe at Lady Between the Lines Art Gallery, Los Angeles (2014) and El Sol for the Soul, Dial Art organized by Lady Between the Lines Art Gallery (2014).
Nwachukwu also presented his works at the Beverly Hills Art Fair (2014) and the Malibu Art Fair (2016) and since 2014 his works have been shown at the Pan African Film and Art Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles.

His solo show Abstract, Colorful and Emotional Expression exhibited at Dysonna City Art Gallery, Los Angeles in 2013.

The icon, who had Japanese master printmaker Munio Makuchi and Nigerian legend Bruce Onabrakpeya as some of his influencers, has had his works, which are widely collected and are included in private institutions in Nigeria, Europe and America, featured in Arthouse Contemporary’s Affordable and Modern and Contemporary Art Auctions.

He was concerned about the development of the arts in Nigeria and canvassed the involvement of artists in the diaspora in efforts to advance the sector he loved so much.

From Ndikelionwu in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, Nwachukwu Ike is survived by his wife, Francisca Obiora-Ike, children, Sister, Uchenna Ezeoke and many brothers, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Since the passage of this accomplished fine artist and poet, friends, relatives, school mates and professional colleagues have been mourning the icon and rallying in support of his family.
Some have poured out their hearts in messages on his facebook page and other platforms:

This is most devastating. Nwachukwu and I attended secondary school in Enugu in the 70s and university of Ife from 1978 to 1982. He was a very kind soul. Very articulate. Very gifted. Good guy. May God grant his family the fortitude to bear this huge loss. He will be missed. Goodnight my brother. – Victor Tafo Buzugbe

Don’t like waking to this news.
A friend and fellow artist, I was first introduced to his profound work at The Affair of the Arts festival in Culver City.
I was so blessed to have known him. Such a gentle soul and kind spirit. Amazingly talented. He had a brilliant presence at the Pan African Art and Film Festival each year.
Rest in heaven King. – Robin Kittrell

Just lost for words after reading your transition….. a brilliant and creative gentleman in a class of his own…. RIP – Adepegba Kofoworola

But why? – Isioma Ojugbana Kemakolam