Art Review The first show on the subject in the UK offers an ambitious, if uneven, look at how artists forged a postcolonial identity April 28, 2026 — 4 min read Uche Okeke, "Fantasy and Masks" (c. 1960) (© The Prof Uche Okeke Legacy Limited and Asele Institute Ltd; photo courtesy Research and Cultural Collections University of Birmingham; all other photos courtesy Tate unless otherwise noted) LONDON — In October 1960, Nigerian artist Uche Okeke (1933–2016) boldly declared the beginning of a new era of independence. A member of the radical Zaria Art Society, which promoted local visual traditions over British artistic teaching, his excitement about the defining role artists would play in this new postcolonial world was palpable: “This is our renaissance era!” This revolutionary thrill can be felt throughout the explosion of works that emerged during this pivotal moment, as Nigeria charted its course to independence and beyond.…