George Edozie: Uzoiyi

George Edozie, born in 1972 in Enugu, Nigeria, is a multidisciplinary artist whose early talent emerged during his childhood in Nsukka, where he began painting and sketching. He pursued formal training at the University of Benin, earning a Bachelor’s Honors degree in Fine and Applied Arts in 1996, after which he fully committed to his art career. Edozie’s works, characterized by angular figures and rich textures, explore themes of love, belonging, strife, and joy while addressing socio-cultural, political, and economic issues. His experimental approach involves various media, including fabric and found materials, which he uses in both his paintings and installations.

One of his most acclaimed exhibitions, Shifting the Paradigm (2014), at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami, challenged cultural art narratives and highlighted Edozie’s Igbo heritage. This exhibition, which included life-size installations crafted from fabric, feathers, and found objects, referenced the Igbo masquerade tradition and celebrated Edozie’s cultural identity and spirituality. Shifting the Paradigm was listed among the top four exhibitions during Art Basel Miami, marking Edozie’s growing influence on the international art scene.

In addition to his own artistic work, Edozie is an expert in art restoration and curation, conserving works for notable collections by artists such as Ben Enwonwu and Uche Okeke. His restoration work spans various media, including sculptures, ceramics, and metal works. Edozie has restored over 100 pieces for private collections in Lagos and religious commissions for churches across Nigeria. His work is featured in prestigious institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami and the Studio Museum Harlem. He also co-authored 101 Contemporary Artists, a key text on modern Nigerian art. Edozie leads as the president of the Guild of Fine Artists and remains a key figure in shaping contemporary Nigerian art.