NKATA: Art and Processes
NKATA is an Igbo word from the language spoken by the Igbo people of Nigeria. It simply means "Conversation". Thus this podcast series will feature conversations with selected individuals (artists, cultural operators, and creatives) whose work I have known – some over many years and others, a little less so. What sets them apart is that I consider them and their works to be compelling, engaging and relevant to the time. The idea of this podcast is to have in-depth but also accessible conversations about who these individuals are, their life’s journeys and how this translates into their vocation as creative people. Conversations will depart from exploring the background of the artists' personal history while meandering through key themes, positions, and ideologies central to their works. Each episode will feature one conversation with a selected artist. Emeka Okereke (Host).
- Update frequency
- every 96 days
- Average duration
- 92 minutes
- Episodes
- 18
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
EP17: "The Learning Curve Never Stops" – Nkata with Alexandre Arrechea
In this episode of Art and Processes, host Emeka Okereke sits down with renowned Cuban contemporary artist Alexandre Arrechea. Born in Trinidad de Cuba—a UNESCO World Heritage Site stee…
EP16: "Creativity is what we owe Humanity" – Nkata with Ibe Ananaba
In this episode of Nkata Podcast: Art & Processes, host Emeka Okereke engages in a compelling conversation with Nigerian painter, designer, and multimedia artist Ibe Ananaba. A lifelong…
EP15: "The garment of the present is always stitched by cloths and threads from a variety of elsewheres" – Nkata with John Akomfrah
In this thought-provoking episode, host Emeka Okereke sits down with the visionary Ghanaian-born British artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah. Akomfrah is renowned for his groundbreaking …
EP14: "Move one foot in front of the other, and you will find your road". Nkata with Jide Adeniyi-Jones
Jide Adeniyi-Jones (b. Lagos, 1952) is a Nigerian documentary photographer based in Lagos and Washington, DC. He credits the English photographer John Vickers for paving his way into ph…
Ep13: "When I use the term Afropolitanism, it refers to the "becoming planetary" of our predicament." Nkata with Achille Mbembe.
Achille Mbembe is no doubt one of the most influential philosophers of the 21st century. Born in Cameroun in 1957, the year that ushered in a ricochet of the independence of African nat…
EP12: "We are workers of the Spirit". Nkata with Koyo Kouoh
The 12th episode of Nkata Podcast: Art & Processes features a conversation with Koyo Kouoh.
Koyo Kouoh is a Cameroonian-born curator. She is a leading figure in the Contemporary art worl…
EP11: "We were brought up to strive for Eloquence". Nkata with Olu Oguibe
Olu Oguibe (b.1964, Aba) is a Nigerian artist and academic living and working in the United States of America. He is one of the foremost scholars of his generation whose work constitute…
EP10: We are trying to remember the future and rewrite the past. Nkata with Qudus Onikeku
In episode 10 of Nkata: Art & Processes, Emeka Okereke is in Conversation with Qudus Onikeku (b. 1984, Lagos), a Nigerian contemporary dancer, performer and Choreographer. He has been a…
EP09: "Water will always find its crack". Nkata with Ahmet Öğüt
Ahmet Öğüt (b.1981, Diyarbakir, Turkey) is a conceptual artist living and working in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He works with a broad range of media including video, photography, installat…
EP08: "If I write for them, it means I am removing myself from my source". Nkata with Niq Mhlongo
Niq Mhlongo (b. 1973, Soweto) is a South African writer born in Johannesburg. Today, he is considered "one of the most high-spirited, irreverent voices of post-apartheid South African l…
EP07: "Our subalterns have not sold out; our youngsters have not sold out". Nkata with Shahidul Alam
Shahidul Alam (b.1955) is a Bangladeshi photojournalist, teacher and social activist. He has been a photographer for more than 40 years. His life and work can invariably be summarised a…
EP06: "My father always told me that only Love is above the law" Nkata with Uche James Iroha
One cannot exhaustively and informatively review the history of contemporary Nigerian photography without frequently returning to the name Uche James Iroha (B.1972, Enugu). Since 1999, …
EP05: "Not only are we ahead of time, we are classic" Nkata with Nontsikelelo Veleko
Nontsikelelo Veleko (b. 1977) is a South African photographer most notably recognised for her depiction of black identity, urbanisation and fashion in post-apartheid South Africa. Velek…
EP04: "My mother said to me: I have dreamt of you in colours" Nkata with Otobong Nkanga
Otobong Nkanga (b. 1974, Kano, Nigeria) is a visual and performance artist whose artistic practice spans almost two decades. She began her studies at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile…
EP03: "No Thank You – I Will Live Up To The Consequences" Nkata with Jihan El-Tahri
For our third episode, Emeka Okereke is in conversation with Jihan El-Tahri, an Egyptian filmmaker, producer, and visual artist.
Jihan El-Tahri began her career as a foreign corresponden…
EP02: "What have you, or what have I paid into that Trust?" NKATA with Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung.
Episode two of NKATA sees Emeka Okereke in conversation with Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung.
Ndikung (b.1977, Yaoundé) is an independent curator, art critic, author and biotechnologist …
EP01: "I wonder as I wander" Nkata with Akinbode Akinbiyi
In this debut episode of NKATA, Emeka Okereke is in conversation with Akinbode Akinbiyi.
Akinbiyi (b.1946) is a Berlin-based Nigerian photographer, writer, curator and educator who has …
EP00: Introduction of NKATA by EMEKA OKEREKE
In this intro episode, Emeka Okereke – the host of the program – introduces himself as well as the podcast series. He gave some pointers as to what the podcast program will be all about…