by hemalChike Felix Uzoka : Shaping Futures Through Art at Artcore, Derby
By: Zahir Shaikh
Chike Felix Uzoka became part of the Artcore studios in Derby an year ago, and from the outset his presence brought a quiet but unmistakable energy. His work ethic and dedication soon stood out, but more significantly, his openness to collaboration and his thoughtful engagement with both artists and the wider community set him apart. Chike is not only a skilled maker, but someone who reflects deeply on the purpose and potential of art in society. His arrival signalled the presence of a creative voice with a clear commitment to building cultural bridges and nurturing inclusive, participatory spaces for artistic exchange.
Since joining Artcore, Chike has taken on a central role in our educational outreach programmes, leading numerous workshops for children and adults alike. Whether working in clay, wire, or mixed media, his sessions are known for being engaging, inclusive, and grounded in the belief that art-making is a communal process. These activities are professionally commissioned, positioning Chike not only as an educator, but as a paid practising artist who contributes meaningfully to the region’s creative economy.
Earlier this year, Chike was a featured artist in our exhibition Common Grounds at Artcore Gallery in April, 2025. His figurative metal sculptures offered a rich interplay between his Nigerian heritage and the new materials and processes he has been exploring since relocating to Derby. Alongside these, his abstract paintings revealed a visceral engagement with themes of memory, migration, and materiality. His contributions drew thoughtful responses from viewers and peers alike, who were struck by both the material sensitivity of the work and the layered narratives it held.
Common Grounds exhibition, Artcore, Derby. April 2025
Chike began his artistic journey in Nigeria, where he studied sculpture at the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu. Over the years, he developed a multidisciplinary practice grounded in sculpture, drawing, and installation, often addressing spiritual and social concerns. His work has been shown in exhibitions across Nigeria and internationally, including in Gambia and Senegal, and he has completed several public commissions in churches and community spaces. As CEO of Ckeimaprojects Nig. Limited, he has delivered a wide range of both private and public commissions since 1997. His move to the United Kingdom was driven by a desire to expand his practice and to be part of a broader artistic conversation.
Chike’s practice stands at the intersection of cultural heritage and contemporary inquiry. He brings with him a profound respect for tradition, but his work is also marked by an active curiosity about the present and a commitment to shared futures. His presence in Derby has already proved transformative, not simply through the objects he creates but through the ecosystems of care and connection that he fosters. Artists like him, who bring with them diverse legacies and an eagerness to contribute to the artistic life of the UK, are not only welcome but necessary
Chike Felix Uzoka’s growing profile as a significant artist is reinforced by his deep commitment to themes that carry global relevance. His work embodies a rare ability to hold tradition and experimentation in meaningful tension, offering audiences an encounter with both personal history and collective memory. Drawing on materials such as clay, wood, wire, and pigment, he creates artworks that are rooted in tactile processes and which invite physical and emotional engagement. These materials, often humble and organic, gain new resonance in Chike’s hands, becoming vessels for storytelling and cultural dialogue. His use of figuration in sculpture, coupled with abstraction in painting, creates a dual visual language that speaks to his transnational experiences and artistic maturity.
Importantly, Chike’s work does not exist in isolation but is animated by his commitment to education, collaboration, and community building. Whether mentoring young people, working in schools, or collaborating with other artists, he treats art as an open field for shared learning and exchange. In this way, his contributions have had tangible social impact, fostering greater inclusivity and cultural understanding within the communities he engages. His approach aligns with broader shifts in contemporary art practice that favour socially engaged, process-oriented work, yet what distinguishes Chike is his ability to merge this ethic with a refined aesthetic sensibility. He does not abandon form for function, but allows both to enrich each other.
His presence within international projects such as the Osnabruck cultural exchange further underlines his relevance within global conversations around art and society. This cross-border engagement, coupled with his long standing public art practice in Nigeria, demonstrates an artist capable of navigating complex cultural terrains with sensitivity and insight. His talent, dedication and innovative approach position him as a leader in the arts, and with the right support, he will continue to make significant contributions on a global scale.
Zahir Shaikh is the Co-Founder and Executive & Creative Director of Artcore, Derby. An artist and curator, he has played a key role in nurturing emerging talent and building inclusive artistic communities across Derbyshire. He occasionally writes about exhibitions and practices shaped through Artcore’s dynamic programme.