Qudus Onikeku

The series "The Drummers and Their Drumbeats" by Ghanaian filmmaker Anita Afonu, commissioned by Culturescapes, focuses on a selection of artists whose works are presented in scope of Culturescapes 2023 Sahara. Qudus Onikeku is an artist working in various mediums, such as performance, film, installation, curation, and community work. Onikeku's international artistic research follows his interest in bodily memory and new vocabularies for performances, pursuing an artistic vision that respects and challenges both Yoruba culture and contemporary dance. He has created an extensive, critically acclaimed body of work, ranging from solos to group pieces, including collaborations with visual artists, architects, musicians, and writers. Qudus Onikeku participated in major exhibitions and festivals in 56 countries, including the Venice Biennale, the Biennale de Lyon, the Festival d’Avignon, and many others. He is a Visiting Professor of Dance at the University of California and Columbia College Chicago, as well as a Maker in Residence and Research Professor at the Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida from 2019-2022. Onikeku lives and works in Lagos, NG, and in Gainesville, USA. Website