mbonuemerem

The Biography of Artist,

Sir Mbonu Christopher Emerem

Sir Mbonu Christopher Emerem was born on December 8, 1957. He hails from Uburuekwe Autonomous Community in Isu Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria, Africa.

1984, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem’s talent and works attracted the attention of the Nigerian government and the general public. In 1984, he was selected as the “Best Corper Artist” in Kaduna State to represent the State in a group national arts exhibition marking the 1983/84 Head of State N.Y.S.C. Honours Award Ceremony  Lagos. Among the nineteen participating artists (each artist representing the then 19-State structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was also adjudged the “Best Corper Artist” at the federal level. .

1985, the then Governor of Sir Mbonu C. Emerem’s home state, Imo State, Maj-General Ike O. S. Nwachukwu invited him for a press interview concerning his career.

In 1987, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem participated in the 9th Kaduna International Trade Fair organized by Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

1992, he signed a contract with Campanella gallery of Park College, Parkville, Missouri, U.S.A., for the exhibition of his paintings. In the months of Nov. and Dec. 1993, a successful six-week international solo-exhibition of Sir Mbonu C. Emerem’s works, entitled, “Regeneration of Society”, was held at Campanella Gallery of Park College, Parkville, Missouri, U.S.A. Park College was established in 1875 and this art exhibition was the first international art exhibition to be held at the College after a period of 118 years of its inception. The President of Park College, Professor Donald J. Breckon in his letter to U.S.A. Embassy, Lagos, Nigeria, on behalf of Sir Mbonu C. Emerem, described the art exhibition as:

“a very important cultural exchange, which needed a lot of publicity and planning.”

 Also, in Prof. Breckon’s press interview concerning the international arts exhibition, he remarked in the art exhibition review published in the Park College Newspaper –ParkStylus:

 “Mbonu C. Emerem’s arts are abstract yet contain the obvious distinctions of his African culture.”

In the words of the Director of Campanella Gallery and Chair, Department of Art, Park College, Professor Donna Bachmann:

“Sir Mbonu C. Emerem’s works are quite wonderful and fascinating and his exhibition formed a handsome installation. His works contain a number of different styles: geometric abstraction, narrative/figurative, and collaged abstraction. His works are imbued with unusual combination of western and African motifs and techniques.”

 This exhibition was published in more than eighty- (80) American News Media: Radio, Cable TV, Cultural Calendars, Newspapers, etc.

1999, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was selected as a "Finalist", in the international Emerging Artists Art Competition, held in Limner Gallery, New York City, USA.

2003, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Abuja, Nigeria, granted Sir Mbonu C. Emerem the permission, after all the necessary inspections, to set up a private museum called: Mbonu-Emerem Museum of Art.

Nov.2003, Sir Mbonu Christopher Emerem was granted a two-year multiple non-immigrant visa by the United States of America Embassy, Lagos, for his Gallery Representation and a three-week Collective Exhibition entitled: “Spontaneous Figurations” at Agora Gallery, 415 West Broadway, Soho/Chelsea, New York, U.S.A. His large-scale paintings: “Trapped in the Dance of Destiny,” “Left to Contemplate,” “Woman in Her Privacy,” Precarious Visions” and “Near Death Experience,” were among the exhibits on display.

Stuart Leslie Meyers’ arts’ review of the international artist from Nigerian, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem, in the United States of America’s international magazine: Gallery&Studio (The World of the Working Artist), New York, Vol. 6 No. 2; Nov.-Dec. 2003/Jan. 2004, entitled: “Africa Rises in the Art of Sir Mbonu Christopher Emerem,” remarked in part as follows:

“…In fact, contemporary African artists are makinga vital contribution to world culture, as evidenced by the recent exhibition of the Nigerian painter, Sir Mbonu Christopher Emerem, at Agora Gallery, 415 West Broadway in Soho, New York City, USA.

Although he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with a degree in Economics in 1983, Emerem soon abandoned that field of study to pursue his artistic calling. We can only be thankful that he did, given the untrammeled power and beauty of his work, with its muscular forms and vibrant colours working in concert to produce visionary compositions that pulse with life.

One of Emerem’s most striking paintings, in term of how it turns the tables on Picasso’s, take on the forms of African tribal art is the dynamic acrylic on canvas, “Trapped in the Dance of Destiny.” In this bold composition, two shapely ebony figures obviously derived from traditional African sculpture appear to be bound back-to-back by swirling forms that metamorphose into a swarm of smaller figures. The entire picture is filled with an energy that can be likened to the early semi-abstract works of Jackson Pollock, which were, in fact, greatly influenced by Picasso’s African borrowings. Emerem bring such influences back to their natural origins, while showing his own sophisticated awareness of European modernism in his treatment of abstract form and composition. The cultural cross-fertilization provides for a fascinating dialogue, the visual equivalent of the rhythmic and melodic merging in so-called World Music.

... Sir Mbonu Christopher Emerem is not only an auspicious representative of the particular qualities that make African art unique, but a world-class painter whose work deserves to be better known by anyone concerned with the on-going evolution of post-modernism.”

 Also, Agora Gallery, Chelsea/Soho, New York CIty, USA, in their Press Release in Agora Gallery’s websites AgoraGallery.com and Art-mine.com, 2003 through 2006, concerning their Gallery Artist, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem, in their reviews which read in part:

 “A resourceful and prolific Nigerian artist, Sir Mbonu Christopher Emerem paints with a deep consideration of man and his fate in the ever-changing world. A heightened sense of style and perspective allow his works to reveal an instinctual life force and universal thread that ties together humanity. With unusual aesthetic perception, the intense details of his painting dance with linear explosion and repetition. From the transitioning of shapes that become part of the structured environment, he paints towards representation of a global humanity …

A 1983 Economics graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem divorced his academic profession and answered a natural calling by painting works that depict people as both the catalysts and binders for all things. Buy focusing on the importance of relationships, especially those with a direct effect on modern civilization; he suggests metaphorically how people could better co-exist. Emerem’s works are a celebration of life coloured with diversity and harmony. The dramatic uniting of line, colour and other formal elements relate Emerem’s message with urgency.  In most cases, his provocative, energetic and congruent images, colours and concepts are stripped to the unknown, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. Sir Mbonu C. Emerem’s exposing of the raw elements of existence executed with an inhibited line is a call to existential awareness for all who view his works…”

Feb. 2004, Sir Mbonu Emerem traveled to New York from where he made a one-month tour of the United States. In 2005, he traveled to USA for the three-week collective exhibition entitled: “Emerging Forms,” which was held at Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York, USA, as part of his gallery representation package. His works,”Colours in Healing Process #2,” “Emotions with Consummate Purity #2,” “Instincts Come Alive.”

2005, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem participated in a world-wide international plastic art contest for the Arad Biennale 2005 where his two paintings: “Trapped in the Dance of Destiny,” and “Left to Contemplate,” were selected by the International Artistic Committee for the Arad Biennale 2005 and he was one of the participant international artists in the International Biennale of Contemporary Arts, Arad Biennale 2005, Arad, Romania. After the successful events, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was awarded an honour: “Diploma of Participation, International Biennale of Contemporary Arts, Arad Biennale 2005”

Aug. 2006, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was selected as a “Finalist” and as one of the 435 international participant Artists classified by the Admission Jury as "Distinguished Artists"in the first edition of the International Itinerant Exhibition entitled: “International Exhibition of Digital Arts,” (M.I.A.D)., Venado Tuerto 2006, Argentina.

2007, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was selected in Argentina as a result of his success in the international art exhibition in that country, as one of the International Group of Artists that will be exhibiting at the Museum of the Americas, Miami, Florida, U. S. A., in 2008.

2007, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was selected by the Jury of absolutearts.com to be an "absolutearts.com Premiere Portfolio Artist." This is a one year representation starting from July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008, by a World Wide Arts Resources/ absolutearts.com, Granville, Ohio, USA, remarked in part as follows:

“You have been selected to be an absolutearts.com Premiere Portfolio Artist. Welcome to the best group of artists on the web!...

Our jury had an excellent, large and very diverse field of artists from around the world to review and accepted 100 to become Premiere Portfolio Artists. The works submitted were very diverse in media, theme and style. The jury was impressed by the professional quality of both the art and the manner in which you represented yourselves. We are excited to welcome you as part of this elite group….”

2008, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was awarded a Diploma of Ventipertrenta  2007: "Quarto Classificato Giuria Internationale", Festival Internationale di Arte Digitale after his participation in Ventipertrenta: International Exhibition of Digital Arts, (id)art-fest 2008, in which he 4th in the International Jury selection. The art exhibition wasorganized by Terra dell’ Arte (International Cultural Association), in Belforte del Chienti, Italy.

Also In 2008, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem participated in group art exhibition named ‘’MIDAC Digitale 2008’’ from 4th to 27th April, 2008, in the International Dynamic Contemporary Arts Museum, (MIDAC Museum) in the former Church of Saint Sabastiano, in Belforte del Chienti, Italy.

From Sept. 5th to Oct. 31s, 2008,  digital arts in small format [20 x 30 cm], Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was one of the 30 digital artists selected from 11 countries:- Italy, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Spain, India, USA, Romania, Brazil, Nigeria and Costa Rica, to exhibit in the Ventipertrenta en Zacatecas 2008 exhibited in the National Fair Zacatecas VENTIPERTRENTA. In the Exhibition Room of the Zacatecas Cineteca, Cultural Center “Ciudadela del Arte”

Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was one of the Participant Artists in a Collective Exhibition with the Curatory of Terra dell’Arte, Italy.

Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was one of the Participant Artists in the "International Festival of Digital Art “ Ventipertrenta 2007.

In 2008, Sir Mbonu Emerem was selected for Biographical inclusion in Arts in their Biographical Reference Publications as one of the “500 Greatest Geniuses of the 21st Century” by J. M. Evans, the President,  American Biographical Institute, ABI, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Also, in 2008, due to Sir Mbonu Emerem’s extra-ordinary penchant for mental acuity, a Tribute:

"Most Notable Intellectual," was enacted in his honour by the Governing Board of Editors of the American Biographical Institute, ABI, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A., which in part reads thus:

“...Your biography has cemented this volume’s future role as a highly respected, authoritative reference guide to achievers with the highest mental aptitudes – impressive indeed.

As such, it is my pleasure to notify you that, due to your extra-ordinary penchant for mental acuity – and as evidenced by your substantial achievements as documented in 500 Greatest Geniuses – the Institute has enacted a tribute in your honour: “Most Notable Intellectual.” You were the inspiration for the accolade, and as such, you will be the first to receive it. “Most Notable Intellectual” is meant to pay homage to those, like you, who possess the rare combinations of intellectual superiority and ambition. As the first Most Notable Intellectual, you recognize that your considerable talents can only have a positive effects on the world if put to persistent use. I admire and respect your dedication to professional excellence.

Professional excellence that will be proudly featured within the pages of this volume upon publication. Remember, 500 Greatest Geniuses was conceived in memory of the many great thinkers – who were not only geniuses, but who were also incredibly innovative, imaginative and creative for their time. After compiling your biography, the Institute believes, more than ever, that you embody those same characteristics in the contemporary era. We feel proud to feature your biography prominently on the same platform as those before you.  You have already made 500 Greatest Geniuses an excellent publication…”

In 2008, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem, was among the group of 24 International Artists that exhibited in the “International Artists Exhibition” in the Museum of the Americas, Doral, Miami, Florida, U.S.A. from July 11 – August 2, 2008.

In 2008, Sir Mbonu Emerem was awarded a Diploma by the international jury in the "International Digital Arts Festival", Ventipertrenta 2008, held in Belforte del Chienti, Italy.

2008 - Participant Artist “International Show of Art Mar del Sur,” District of General Alvarado, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

2008, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem’s works were selected the International Jury to be exhibited and to form part of the Permanent Collection of the International Dynamic Contemporary Art Museum (MIDAC) of Terra dell’ Arte, in Belforte dell Chiente, Italy.

In 2009, as a guest artist, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem’s work, “Left to Contemplate” won him an international award: “Mejor Artista Expositor,” ( meaning in English: “Better Artist Exhibitor”) when it was selected by the Public Assistant voting and the Jury as one of the best 5 exhibited works in the International Show of Arts, Mar del Sur, Argentina. This award: “Mejor Artista Expositor,”  earns him 3 Prizes.

In 2010, Sir Mbonu C. Emerem was sellected by The Board of Directors of the Museum of the Americas, Doral, Miami, Florida, USA, to be their "Museum Representative" in Nigeria and other African countries for Arts Exhibitions and Cultural Exchanges.

Also, in Dec., 2010. in collaboration with the Museum of the Americas, Doral, Miami, Florida, U.S.A, Sir Mbonu Emerem Organized and Co-ordinated a one month Group Arts Exhibition in the Museum of the Americas titled: "Pushing Back the Frontiers of Creativity - Contemporary Artists from Nigeria," featuring 13 Nigerian artists

In 2011, Sir Mbonu Emerem, was one of the 30 International Artists selected in Italy from 11 countries: Italy, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Spain, India, USA, Portugal, Brazil, Nigeria and Costa Rica, to exhibit from February 11, 2011 - March 21, 2011, in Ventipertrenta in Tecate, Baja Califonia, Mexico.

DAAR Communications Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria, has featured him in their television: African Independent Television (AIT), in their programmes “Entertainment and Style,” “Odenigbo,” “Launch Break”, “Kakaki”, and other personality programmes. In 1997, AIT, also compiled a 30-minutes documentary on the life and works of Sir Mbonu C. Emerem under their Television Programme Cultural Africa entitled: ‘’Profile of a Nigerian Artist’.’

In 2001, Minaj Broadcasting International Ltd (MBI) interviewed, compiled and featured a Thirty Minutes Documentary on the life and works of Sir Mbonu C. Emerem under their personality programme “Arts and People” and some other programmes.

Sir Mbonu C. Emerem is married to an Artist/Curator, Lady Jovita Chika Emerem (Nee Mbagwu) and they now have six children- three boys and three girls. Their names are: Amarachi U. Emerem, Ezichi C. Emerem, Chiemerie A. Emerem, Oluebube C. Emerem, Chidubem C. Emerem and Sorochi C. Emerem.