Ode to a Master, Turned 60: Peter Ezeh on Chike Aniakor, the Nigerian Master of the Uli Visual Art Genre. (Nigeria: Appreciation)

Beginning of article

If a notable pioneer attains the age of 60, ordinarily the occasion is something to celebrate. But Dr Chike Aniakor of the University of Nigeria, Nzukka, the moderniser of the much-discussed uli visual art genre, sees life differently. He clinks no glasses, holds no parties and you have to have the skill of a drummer to be able to sell the idea of giving a press interview to him.

He tells reporters: "I shouldn't be talking about myself. I should be studied."

But here is the man from whose path-finding efforts, and those of another past master, Prof Uche Okeke, such contemporary greats in African visual art as Prof El Anatsui (also of the University of Nigeria), Prof …