Qudus Onikeku is a Nigerian dancer and performer who has been described as "an atypical artist".[1] He was one of the three artists invited to Nigeria's first appearance at the 2017 Venice Biennale.[2][3]
Qudus Onikeku | |
|---|---|
| Born | Qudus Onikeku 1984 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | Ecole Supérieure des Arts du Cirque, Brussels |
| Occupation(s) | Dance artist and Choreographer |
| Years active | 2004 - till date |
| Organization | Qdance Company |
| Known for | Dance Gathering Lagos. |
| Notable work | Spirit Child, MY Exile is in My Head, STILL/life, Yuropa. |
| Style | Hip Hop, Capoeira, Tai Chi and Contemporary |
| Website | www.qudusonikeku.com |
Biography and work edit
Onikeku lived in France for a while before returning to Lagos to found Q-Dance Company and Dance Gathering Lagos.[4][5] He has performed a number of local and international shows, including We Almost Forgot which has been showcased in Berlin and Lagos.[6]
His work takes its influence from the Yoruba traditional culture[7] "combining it with several other influences such as the guiding philosophies of hip hop, capoeira, and contemporary dance, to weave a certain understanding of the human condition."[8] Onikeku's my exile is in my head was named as the laureate of the solo category at the Danse L’Afrique Danse 2010 in Bamako.[9]
Notable works edit
SPIRIT CHILD premiered in Cologne in June 2019.
IYAMI premiered on 17 December 2018.
YUROPA premiered in Bremen in June 2018.
RAINMAKERS created for the 2018 TEDGlobal in Tanzania, and since performed severally in Nigeria.
A BRIEF MOMENT OF TRUTH created for the 2017 TEDLagos.
WE ALMOST FORGOT 2016 creation, premièred in Berlin, Lagos and Abuja, and Paris.
QADDISH premiered on 6 July 2013 with several tours around Europe.[10]
References edit
- ^ "Qudus, un artiste atypique sur la scène du festival de danse contemporaine de Toulouse". Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ "Meet Peju Alatise, Qudus Onikeku & Victor Ehikhamenor - Artists at Nigeria's Debut at the 57th Venice Biennale - BellaNaija". www.bellanaija.com. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ Orubo, Daniel (24 March 2017). "Meet The Nigerian Artists Set To Make History At The Venice Biennale". Konbini Nigeria. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ "British Council showcases disabled, non-disabled dancers at Dis Fix project (PHOTOS)". YNaija. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ "Iwalewa… A narrative of poverty-to-awareness dance performance". Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ Adiele, Chinedu. "Qudus Onikeku "We Almost Forgot"\ Stage Play". Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ "Qudus Onikeku, acrobate sans frontières – JeuneAfrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 14 October 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ "Meet Peju Alatise, Qudus Onikeku & Victor Ehikhamenor - Artists at Nigeria's Debut at the 57th Venice Biennale - BellaNaija". www.bellanaija.com. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ "Qudus Onikeku". Modul DAnce. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ "Qudus Onikeku | modul-dance". Modul Dance. Retrieved 23 July 2020.