Ogidi, Kogi State Nigeria. She lost her mother and her grandmother at a young age but rose above her challenges to become a force to be reckoned with in Traditional Textile Design globally.
At
the tender age of six, Nike lost her mother and had to go and live with her
grandmother who introduced her to the Art of traditional weaving and dyeing.
Her grandmother whom she says was the head of the community weavers taught her
the benefit of hard work by painstakingly teaching her the fine art of the
Adire design. Although she felt her grandmother was being hard on her then, she
says the discipline and virtue instilled in her made her who she is today.
Her
hope of having a formal education died with her mother who she says would have
ensured she pursued her education to the University level had she been alive.
However, she attributes her journey in life to destiny. Had her mother been
alive, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn the fine art of
traditional design that has taken her around the globe.
Nike’s
romance with international exposure began in 1968 when she had an exhibition at
the Goethe Institute in Lagos. Since then, she has grown to become a major name
on the international art circuit. She is most outstanding in paintings and
design of Adire, beadwork and batik.
Nike
Monica Davies-Okundaye lectures in different institutions across the world
including notable institutions like Harvard, Columbus, and Edmonton Ohio and in
Los Angeles, among others, impacting the knowledge of her traditional Adire design
in willing students. She is so skilled in her art that she lectures doctoral
students even without a formal education.
“The
type of education I had at the time was the education that is passed from
parents to their children, not the education you get in a classroom. It was the
practical type of education,” She said.
She
brings vivid imagination as well as a wealth of history and tradition into the
production of Adire. Her works are celebrated in major capitals of the world,
with her designs exhibited in countries like the USA, Belgium, Germany, Japan
and Italy, among others.
About
two years ago, her Adire painting was accepted at The Smithsonian, the world’s
largest museum, located in Washington DC, US. Some of her works can be found among-st the collection of prominent personalities around the world, including
the White House.
Her
Gallery, Nike Art Gallery located in Lagos, Nigeria is a sight to behold with
beautiful works of art on display. She also has a workshop in Oshogbo, western
part of Nigeria where she teaches rural women how to make beautiful Adire
designs and all sort of Arts works.
In
May 2006, Nike was awarded one of the highest Italian national awards of merit
by the government of the Republic of Italy in appreciation of her efforts in
using art to address and solve the problems of Nigerian prostitutes (sex
workers) in Italy. She has also received several accolades and international
recognition for her works.
Two
former presidents of the United States, Bill Clinton and George Bush were so
enthralled by her works that they sought audience with her during their visit
to Nigeria.
Bonus points;Nike is married with children.
It is the little things like this that makes me smile,makes me proud,and keeps me positive that there is room in the sky for me.
Bonus points;Nike is married with children.
It is the little things like this that makes me smile,makes me proud,and keeps me positive that there is room in the sky for me.
