Environmental Challenges as Creative Muse: The Installation and Performance Art of Bright Ugochukwu Eke

Abstract

Our modern African society is challenged by many environmental issues owing to industrialization and exploitation of natural resources and other activities that are coeval with western-oriented modernity. The Niger Delta of Nigeria is particularly challenged in ways not found in other parts of the country and elsewhere due to the unethical processes of oil extraction. In the Niger Delta region, water, air and land pollution are serious environmental challenges that affect the biodiversity and the ecosystem. These deplorable issues have become creative muse for writers and visual artists with the resultant genres known as the Niger Delta Literature (NDL) and the Niger Delta Visuals (NDV). This paper engages the conceptual and installation art of Bright Ugochukwu Eke, a young and innovative contemporary Nigerian artist now based in Los Angeles, USA. Eke’s uncommon exploration of water as a sculpture medium was sparked by an experience of acid rain he had in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria in 2005. Eke is widely exhibited with many international awards and residencies.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n3p63