Nike Davies-Okundaye

Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye (born Nike Okundaye on May 23, 1951, in Ogidi, Kogi State, Nigeria) is a highly celebrated Nigerian Yoruba textile artist, designer, and entrepreneur. Widely known as Mama Nike, she is best recognized for her masterful work with *adire* (indigo-dyed cloth) and batik textiles, embroidery pieces, and for her significant role in promoting and preserving traditional Nigerian art forms globally.Early Life and Education Nike Okundaye spent part of her formative years in Osogbo, in Western Nigeria (modern-day Osun State), a region renowned as a major center for art and culture. Growing up, she was exposed to the traditional practices of indigo dyeing and *adire* production, which formed the basis of her informal artistic training. She did not receive formal higher education in art, instead learning her craft through inherited knowledge and self-practice.Career Progression and Achievements Davies-Okundaye began her career in the arts at a young age, dedicating herself to textile design. She held her first solo exhibition at the Goethe Institute in Lagos in 1968. Over her decades-long career, she has exhibited her work internationally, becoming a leading global champion of Nigerian and African traditional art. A crucial focus of her career has been the socio-economic empowerment of disadvantaged Nigerian women through art. She conducts workshops where she teaches the unique techniques of indigo cloth-dyeing (*Adire*) to rural women, helping over 3,000 Nigerians acquire skills to earn a livelihood from creating *Adire* and *Ase-Oke* textiles. A major milestone in her career was the establishment of several significant cultural institutions. In 1983, she founded the Nike Centre for Art and Culture in Osogbo to keep traditional art practices alive. She subsequently established the widely acclaimed Nike Art Galleries in multiple locations, including Lagos, Oshogbo, Ogidi, and Abuja. These galleries not only showcase her own work but also hold vast collections of contemporary art from diverse African artists, aiming to provide a supportive space for creatives.Major Achievements and Honours Davies-Okundaye has received numerous honors for her contributions to art and culture. In 2019, she was included in the *I Am… Contemporary Women Artists of Africa* exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. In the same year, she was conferred with an honorary doctorate by Rhodes University. She has also served on the UNESCO Committee of the Intangible Nigerian Heritage Project. The CEPAN Foundation honored her as the Art Icon of the year. In 2025, she was honored by the U.S. government (through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate) for her global contributions to art at the unveiling of the African Cultural Festival.Notable Works Davies-Okundaye is primarily known for her elaborate and symbolically rich textile works, which frequently employ batik and *adire* techniques. Her artistic output often explores themes related to Yoruba culture, traditional Nigerian life, and societal cycles. Notable pieces include *Life’s Circle* (2001), *ABULE (VILLAGE SERIES 1)* (2002), *ABULE (VILLAGE SERIES 2)* (2002), and *Family Habitat (in 6 parts)* (2002).Current Status As of the present, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye continues to be a central and influential figure in the contemporary African art scene. She remains active in running her galleries and the Nike Centre for Art and Culture, continuing her mission to preserve traditional Nigerian art practices, support artists, and empower women through creative education.