Chike Aniakor

Chike Aniakorlisten^ⓘ (born 1939) is a Nigerian painter. A native of Abatete, Aniakor received his first artistic training at Ahmadu Bello University, receiving his master's degree in 1974. He received a doctorate in art history from Indiana University Bloomington in 1978, writing his dissertation on Igbo architecture. He has taught art and art history at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, since 1970, becoming a member of the Nsukka group. He is currently a professor at the University of Cross River state, teaching arts and contemporary African art. More recently, he has been a fellow of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and of Howard University.

The founder of the Nsukka group was Uche Okeke. As he encouraged his students to use Igbo art as inspiration, Aniakor was among the first Nsukka artists to develop an interest in uli, and his drawings and watercolors display a strong affinity for the system.[1][2] His human figures frequently possess elongated bodies and limbs, and he often makes use of negative space.[3] His subjects are mainly drawn from Igbo culture and from the Biafran War. More recently his art has become more concerned with Nigerian social conditions.