Nkem Okwechime (b. 1996) is as a distinctive voice to watch in contemporary printmaking.

Born in vibrant South London and raised in Scotland, Nkem’s artistic journey commenced at the age of 18, when he first delved into the intricate world of printmaking. This passion led into a formal education at the University of Glasgow School of Arts, where he majored in painting and printmaking. A testament to his talent, Nkem was honored with the Glasgow Print Studio Prize Award.

Nkem’s body of work, the “Ikenga” series, arose from a deep exploration of masks and icons rooted in his Ibo heritage. For the artist, it is an obligation to present facets of his Nigerian heritage to Western audiences, mirroring the saturation of Western culture worldwide.

Drawing inspiration from a mix of expressions, spanning from the avant-garde strokes of the DADA Movement to the influence of his own grandfather and Ibo lineage, Nkem employs a unique screen-printing style, experimenting with surfaces such as ceramics and fabrics.