Magdalene Odundo: Difference between revisions

Magdalene Odundo was born in [[Nairobi]], Kenya, and received her early education in both India and Kenya. She attended the Nairobi Polytechnic in Kenya to study Graphics and Commercial Art and moved to England in 1971 follow her chosen vocation in Graphic Design and completed qualifications in foundation art and graphics at the Cambridge College of Art.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Joris|first1=Yvonne G. J. M.|title=Magdalene Odundo|date=1994|publisher=Cip-Gegevens Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Den Haag|page=68}}</ref>▼

After a while in England she discovered pottery, and in 1974–75 she visited Nigeria, visiting the Pottery Training Centre in Abuja, and Kenya to study traditional hand-built pottery techniques.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Angaza Afrika: African Art Now|last=Spring|first=Chris|publisher=Laurence King|year=2008|isbn=978-1-85669-548-0|location=London|pages=234}}</ref> She also travelled to [[San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico]] to observe the making of [[black-burnished ware|blackware]] vessels. In 1976, Odundo received a BA from [[Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College|West Surrey College of Art & Design]] (now [[University for the Creative Arts]]).<ref name=resume>[http://magdaleneodundo.com/resume.html Magdalene Odundo resumé.]</ref> She then earned a master's degree at the [[Royal College of Art]] in London. She taught at the [[Commonwealth Institute]] in London from 1976 to 1979 and at the Royal College of Art in London from 1979 to 1982, before returning to teach at [[Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College|Surrey Institute of Art & Design]] (now University for the Creative Arts) in 1997, becoming Professor of Ceramics in 2001.<ref name=resume /> In March 2016 she was inaugurated as an Emerita Professor of UCA, with a celebration event held at the Farnham campus against the backdrop of her important work in glass, Transition II.<ref>[http://www.uca.ac.uk/news/magdalene-inauguration-ceremony/ "UCA Emerita Professorship awarded to international contemporary artist"], UAC, 4 March 2016.</ref> She lives and works in Surrey.▼

Odundo's best-known ceramics are hand built, using a coiling technique. Each piece is burnished, covered with slip, and then burnished again. The pieces are fired in an oxidizing atmosphere, which turns them a red-orange. A second firing in an oxygen-poor (reducing) atmosphere causes the clay to turn black; this is known as reduction-firing.<ref name="source 1">{{cite book|last1=Birmingham Museum of Art |title=Birmingham Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection |publisher=Giles |year=2010 |location=London |pages=80 |url=http://www.birminghammuseumstore.org/bmapu.html |accessdate=2011-06-24 |isbn=978-1-904832-77-5 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910171150/http://www.birminghammuseumstore.org/bmapu.html |archivedate=2011-09-10 |df= }}</ref> She uses the same types of techniques used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans and likes to take inspiration from countries like China and Mexico.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Joris|first1=|title=Magdalene Odundo|date=1994|publisher=|page=7}}</ref> Her graphic design skills still remain with her as she often sketches her interest in natural forms and the design of form to help her with her ceramic creations.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Joris|first1=|title=Magdalene Odundo|date=1994|publisher=|page=45}}</ref> Many of the vessels Odundo creates are reminiscent of the human form, often following the curves of the spine, stomach, or hair.<ref name="source 1" /> Her work may be found in museum and private collections worldwide.▼

Odundo was awarded the African Art Recognition Award by [[Detroit Institute of Arts]] in 2008, and the African Heritage Outstanding Achievement in the Arts award in 2012, together with honorary doctorates from the [[University of Florida]] (2014) and [[University of the Arts London]] (2016).<ref>[http://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/awards-ceremonies/honorary-awards-2016/ "Honorary Awards 2016"], UAL.</ref> She was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) for services to Art in the [[2008 Birthday Honours|Queen's Birthday Honours 2008]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=58729 |date=14 June 2008 |page=12 |supp=y }}</ref>▼

In 2017 it was announced that Odundo would take up the role of Chancellor of the University of the Creative Arts from June 2018.<ref>Wanjohi, John, [http://www.mwakilishi.com/article/diaspora-news/2017-09-20/prof-odundo-named-chancellor-of-univ-of-creative-arts "Kenyan-Born Prof Magdalene Odundo NamedChancellor of UK's University of Creative Arts"], mwakilishi.com, 20 September 2017.</ref>▼

[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]▼

[[Category:African potters]]▼

[[Category:Women ceramists]]▼