Press Release
Solo Show: By Edet Edet Uweh
Some visual narratives merely depict; others transcend, compel, and speak with the authority of lived truth. Her Story, the latest body of work by Edet Edet Uweh, belongs to the latter. It is more than an exhibition—it is a powerful tribute to the strength, resilience, and sacred presence of women and the girl child.
Uweh’s mastery of realism, enriched with elements of Black art, transforms his figures into icons of dignity and emotional depth. His brushwork is deliberate, his compositions sensitive, and his storytelling intuitive. He doesn’t just render form—he evokes presence, capturing the enduring spirit of womanhood.
As a former mentor and lecturer during his time at the University of Uyo, I’ve witnessed Edet’s artistic evolution with pride. What now defines his work is clarity of vision, emotional intelligence, and visual integrity. Her Story reflects not just technical maturity but a deep understanding of the power of representation—especially of women in African life.
This collection is both personal and cultural. It invites us to pause, reflect, and engage with the sacred in the everyday. Each painting serves as both image and invocation—as mirror and monument.
I commend Edet Edet Uweh for this significant contribution to contemporary Nigerian art. May Her Story open hearts, spark dialogue, and honor the vital roles women play in shaping our world.
EDET EDET UWEH
Rembrandt’s luminous touch and masterful command of light breathe through the work of Nigerian painter Edet Edet Uweh. Deeply inspired by Renaissance and Medieval masterworks, Uweh’s art reflects a timeless reverence for the past while engaging powerfully with the present. His use of strong value contrasts, harmonized hues, and emotive compositions echoes the visual language of classical art, yet speaks with a voice that is entirely his own.
Born on May 26, 2000, in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Uweh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Painting from the Department of Fine and Industrial Arts, University of Uyo. While his academic training provided him with a solid foundation, his artistic growth has been shaped just as profoundly by close observation and the everyday experiences of his childhood. Raised in a family of artists, he showed a natural gift for drawing from an early age. At just ten years old, he was already creating diagrams and illustrations for his mother’s lesson notes. Though encouraged to pursue architecture, Uweh remained committed to his dream of becoming a visual artist.
His preferred medium is oil, valued for its versatility and slow drying time, which gives him space to experiment and remain in constant dialogue with his materials. This connection allows his creative process to be both deliberate and adventurous. Out of necessity and invention, he also developed a strong proficiency in pen and ink—resulting in works that are striking in both detail and discipline. debut solo exhibition, Her Story, captures his deep interest in universal themes of identity, resilience, and human connection. Through realistic portraits and figurative compositions, he aims to communicate truths that resonate with viewers across cultures, tribes, and races. His work carries a message of shared humanity, rooted in personal memory but expanded through imagination and empathy.
From early doodles to complex allegorical narratives, Edet Uweh’s story is one of inventive tenacity and growth. As his creative journey continues to evolve, he brings fresh energy to modern realism and emerges as a rising voice in contemporary African art.