PORTFOLIO

OBINNA MAKATA

BIOGRAPHY

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 at his Nma Nka, 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 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. 

EXIBITIONS

Obinna Makata has built a significant exhibition history that reflects his growing presence within contemporary African art. Since 2012, he has participated in more than forty-five group exhibitions across Nigeria and internationally, presenting his work to audiences in Europe, America, and the Middle East.

His exhibitions are recognized for their powerful engagement with themes of identity, race, history, consumer culture, and the social realities of contemporary urban Africa. Through sculptural installations and assemblages created from found and discarded materials, Makata transforms exhibition spaces into reflective environments where viewers encounter both beauty and critique.

Beyond gallery presentations, Makata has also participated in international residencies, workshops, seminars, and art talks, further extending the reach of his practice and positioning his exhibitions within broader global conversations on sustainability and contemporary culture. His growing visibility has attracted attention from notable art journals and publications, culminating in a feature on CNN’s African Voices in 2018, which highlighted his artistic journey and expanding exhibition profile. Today, Makata’s exhibitions continue to affirm his place among important voices shaping the narrative of contemporary Nigeria art.

WORKSHOP

Obinna Makata has actively engaged in workshops that have strengthened both his artistic practice and his contribution to contemporary art discourse. Over the years, he has participated in professional workshops within Nigeria and internationally, including programs across Europe, America, and the Middle East. These experiences have provided spaces for experimentation, exchange, and critical dialogue with artists, curators, and cultural practitioners from diverse backgrounds.

His workshops often align with the central concerns of his practice—material transformation, environmental awareness, identity, and the realities of urban life. Working extensively with found and discarded objects, Makata brings a distinctive perspective to conversations on sustainability and the creative possibilities of reclaimed materials. Through these settings, he demonstrates how everyday waste can be reimagined as powerful artistic media.

Beyond personal development, Makata’s involvement in workshops reflects a commitment to mentorship and shared learning. Such platforms have enabled him to exchange ideas, refine techniques, and contribute to emerging conversations around contemporary African art and global artistic practice.

PRESENTATION/INTERVIEWS

Obinna Makata has been the subject of notable interviews that have brought wider attention to his artistic vision, process, and growing influence within contemporary African art. Through conversations with journalists, curators, and cultural platforms, he has shared insights into the ideas that shape his practice and the social realities that inform his work.

His interviews frequently explore themes central to his oeuvre, including identity, race, history, urban transformation, and the effects of consumer culture in modern African cities. Speaking on his use of found and discarded materials, Makata has explained how waste objects can be transformed into meaningful sculptural forms that challenge habits of excess while preserving traces of everyday life. These discussions reveal an artist deeply concerned with both material memory and social change. Among his most recognized media features was his appearance on CNN’s African Voices in 2018, where his practice was introduced to an international audience through a forty-minute documentary profile. The feature highlighted his creative journey, studio process, and the significance of his work within the wider landscape of African contemporary art.