Obinna Makata (b. 1981, Enugu State, Nigeria) graduated in 2007 from University of Nigeria Nsukka where he was trained as a sculptor. Presently, he lives and work in Lagos, Nigeria as a full-time studio Artist. He has participated in residences, workshops, seminars and Art talks, in Europe, America and Middle East and over 45 group show since 2012. Makata has been featured in many important Art journals and publications both locally and internationally including a 40 minute documentary by CNN in the prestigious program “African Voices” in 2018.

Makata is inspired by everyday life and the ever-changing culture of his space. He works with found objects, which are mostly waste materials. His work tackles issues such as: history, race, modernity, identity, culture and evolving social values as they relate to contemporary Africa. Using waste as a medium, he creates awareness by pointing finger at the materialistic and consumerism culture that has eaten deep into the society and thereby defies the character of the city and people leaving in it.

Makata has spent the last ten years working with fabrics. His mixed media collage combines ink, acrylic and scraps of ankara fabric to create narratives associated with common aspect of daily life. In addition to that he is a trained sculptor and installation artist, recently he is exploring with various materials like animal bone, discarded empty cartons and plastic water cans. Makata explained that the medium he utilizes in any given project is chosen to serve the subject he is working on at a given moment, rather than been familiar tool he refuses to give up.