Demas Nwoko
Demas Nwoko (born 1935) is a Nigerian artist, protean designer, architect and master builder. As an artist, he strives to incorporate modern techniques in architecture and stage design to enunciate African subject matter in most of his works. In the 1960s, he was a member of the Mbari club of Ibadan, a committee of burgeoning Nigerian and foreign artists. He was also a lecturer at the University of Ibadan. In the 1970s, he was the publisher of the now defunct New Culture magazine.
Demas Nwoko | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1935 Idumuje Ugboko |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Known for | Fine Art (Painting, Sculpting), Architecture (Design and Build), Stage Designer, Theatre Director, Wood worker, Writer |
| Notable work | ARCHITECTURE- New Culture Studio Ibadan, The Dominican Monastery Ibadan, Oba Akenzua Theatre Benin, Benedictine Monastery Ewu, Demas Nwoko Family house Idumuje-Ugboko, etc
ART- Soja Come Soja go, Beggar, Bathing women, The philosopher, Adam and Eve, Rickshaw man, Mama Teddar (Wall mural in Teddar hall University of Ibadan), Carved Pillars departure hall Muritala Mohammed Airport, etc BOOKS - Impoverished Generation, New Culture Magazine, Philosophy of an African Democracy |
| Movement | Independence |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 18th Venice Biennale of Architecture 2023 |
Nwoko, sees design as an ingenuous activity that carries with it a focus on social responsibility for positive influences in the environment and culture of the society.
In 2023 Nwoko was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the International Architecture Exhibition of 18th Venice Biennale of Architecture.