Art Historian | Curator | Director, ArtQuay 

Okay Ikenegbu is an accomplished art historian, curator, academic and sculptor whose work explores African art history, contemporary visual culture, decolonial perspectives and cultural heritage. His practice integrates scholarly research, academic leadership, curatorial work and artistic production, with a particular focus on African and Global Majority art histories, sculpture, material culture, public art and curatorial studies.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Art History, a Master of Fine Art in Sculpture and a Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Applied Arts. His academic work involved teaching art history, contemporary art theory and research methods, supervising research, developing academic programmes and advancing research-informed approaches to Fine Art education.

As Director of ArtQuay Galleries, Okay provides curatorial and strategic leadership for a research-led exhibition programme focusing on African and diaspora art. His work involves researching, curating and commissioning exhibitions, developing relationships with artists and cultural organisations, and creating platforms for the interpretation and appreciation of African artistic practices. His curatorial approach draws on art historical research, decolonial perspectives, cultural memory and contemporary visual discourse.

His recent curatorial projects at ArtQuay include Resonance: A Black History Month African Art Exhibition (2025) and Heritage African Art Exhibition (2025). These projects reflect his continuing engagement with African artistic heritage, historical interpretation and contemporary cultural expression.

Okay’s wider curatorial experience includes exhibitions and cultural programmes at the British Council, the National Museum of Unity, Enugu, and other professional and cultural institutions in Nigeria. He has also contributed extensively to scholarly discourse through publications, conference papers, invited lectures and keynote presentations addressing African art, sculpture, material culture and the relationship between artistic practice and cultural history.

His artistic practice, particularly in monumental sculpture and public art, complements his scholarly interests in material culture, monumentality, public memory and postcolonial visual identity. Among his notable works is the monumental Roaring Lion King sculpture, recognised by RecordSetter as the world’s largest lion sculpture. He has an extensive exhibition record, with participation in more than 100 exhibitions and art events, including in West Africa, Europe and the US.

Okay is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Sculptors, United Kingdom; a Fellow of the Pan African Circle of Artists; and a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists. He is also a member of the Association for Art History, UK, and other international professional art organisations.

Through his research, academic practice, curatorial work and artistic contributions, Okay continues to advance the understanding, documentation and international appreciation of African art and visual culture.