Odili Donald Odita

Place: Enugu

Born: 1966

Biography:

Odili Donald Odita is a Nigerian American abstract painter who lives and works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His work explores color both in the figurative historical context and in the sociopolitical sense. Born on 18 February 1966, in Enugu, Nigeria, Odita's family was forced to flee Nigeria in order to avoid the Biafran war, and they resided in Columbus, Ohio in the United States.

Early Life and Education

Odita began recreating drawings from superhero comic books and fashion magazines at the age of five. He said, "I knew I was going to be an artist after I did a marathon copying of images from a stack of prints/drawings that my father had collected for his work as an art historian." Odita received his BFA, with Distinction, from Ohio State University in 1988, where he also received the Excellence in the Arts Award. He received a MFA from Bennington College, Vermont in 1990.

Career

Odita is primarily a painter, and also works in photo-based pieces and installation art. His works since the 1990s are often large-scale paintings on canvas and Plexiglass. He sometimes paints directly on walls to alter the perception of space. Often involving "complex interlocking geometries and contrasting hues", his works are seen as raising significant questions about race and society. Odili Donald Odita has been influenced by various artists, including Helen Frankenthaler and Kenneth Noland, but he intentionally places himself in a tradition of black abstract painters from the 1970s and 1980s.

Awards and Exhibitions

Odita has received several awards, including the Penny McCall Foundation Grant in 1994, the Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant in 2001, and the Louis Comfort Tiffany Grant in 2007. His large installation Give Me Shelter was featured prominently in the 52nd Venice Biennale exhibition Think With The Senses, Feel With the Mind, curated by Robert Storr. You can learn more about his work and exhibitions on Wikioo.org.

Artistic Style and Inspiration

plays a significant role in Odita's work, as he explores its meaning in both historical and sociopolitical contexts. His vibrant large-scale abstractions have been described as 'showstoppers' and are considered to raise questions about race and society. Most of Odita's work is inspired by the vibrant textiles of his home country, Nigeria, mixed with patterns from Western modernity. You can explore more about his artistic style and inspiration on Wikipedia.

• Check out Odili Donald Odita's artwork on Wikioo.org.
• Learn more about his exhibitions and awards on Wikipedia.
• Explore the Tyler School of Art / Temple University where Odita is an Associate Professor of Painting.

Odita's work can be found in various museums and collections, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Birmingham Museum of Art. His paintings are a testament to his unique style and exploration of color, and continue to raise important questions about race and society.