ABOUT THE AUTHOR

E. Okechukwu Odita Odita is Professor of History of Art at The Ohio State University, Department of History of Art, where he teaches contemporary African art as well as traditional African art and culture. He holds Dip.F.A. from the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST), Zaria, Nigeria; M.A. and M.F.A. from the University of Iowa; and Ph.D. from Indiana University. His research has focused on twentieth century African art and its relation to traditional African art and culture. His earliest interest in contemporary African art was triggered by a childhood interest in fine art. As an adult, his participation in numerous contemporary African art conferences in Africa, Canada, Europe, South America, and United States of America, as well as his field trips to Cameroon, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo and Zimbabwe have all combined to make him a seasoned professional in that disciple. And from the year 2001 to date, he curates contemporary African art shows at the KIACA Gallery, Columbus Ohio, a non-profit-making organization committed to establishing a solid platform for contemporary African art and artists in society. Besides, he has several other gallery and museum shows in the United States of America. He has published and lectured widely on contemporary African art as well as traditional African art and culture.