In the hands of Gerald Chukwuma, discarded timber does not simply find a second life; it finds a voice.

Based between the vibrant creative hubs of Nigeria and the global stage of the United Kingdom, Chukwuma has emerged as a titan of contemporary African art. He is not merely a sculptor or a painter; he is an artistic archaeologist, unearthing the forgotten narratives of migration, trade, and identity buried within the grain of recycled wood.

The Language of the Grain

Chukwuma is best known for his signature “wood-slate” technique—a meticulous process of carving, burning, and painting onto panels of reclaimed wood. This choice of medium is a poetic nod to the environment and the cyclical nature of history. His surfaces are etched with the ancient geometric whispers of Uli and Nsibidi, traditional Igbo symbols that serve as a bridge between a pre-colonial past and a digitized future.

Each piece is a tapestry of texture. The charred edges represent the trials of history, while the vibrant, hand-applied pigments celebrate the resilience and “conscious luxury” of modern African culture.

A Global Narrative

Represented by the prestigious Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery and a regular fixture at international benchmarks like Art Basel and the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Chukwuma’s work resonates far beyond the borders of West Africa. His installations challenge the viewer to look past the surface of “globalization” to see the human stories—the footprints of those who moved, those who stayed, and the cultural wealth they carried with them.

Why He Matters

In an era where the world is rediscovering the depth of African heritage, Gerald Chukwuma stands as a master of the “New African Narrative.” His work does not just hang on a wall; it pulse with the rhythm of Lagos and the sophistication of London. For the globally-minded collector and the culturally curious, Chukwuma offers more than art—he offers a map of the human spirit, carved in wood and gilded in history.

“I don’t just work with wood. I listen to what it has already seen, and then I help it tell the truth.” — Gerald Chukwuma