Uzenab Shedrach is a Swiss–Nigerian contemporary artist whose practice interrogates global politics, cultural identity, power structures, and the fragile illusion of unity in an increasingly divided world. Working across painting, mixed media, and performative installation, Shedrach critically examines international institutions, geo-cultural relationships, and the tangible human consequences of political narratives.
His work has been exhibited internationally, with notable presentations at the United Nations in Geneva, Palexpo Geneva, Montreux Magazine, and the Kempinski Hotel, under the auspices of the African Union Mission in Geneva and with the support of governmental, cultural, and diplomatic institutions.
Rooted in symbolism, abstraction, and socio-political critique, Shedrach’s artistic language challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about cooperation, conflict, and global responsibility. Drawing from both African and European perspectives, his practice occupies a critical space where art becomes a mechanism for questioning authority, exposing contradictions, and reimagining collective accountability.
“The Art of Becoming: A Journey Through Life and Creation”
As left my country and came to Europe I become so much more: an unwished immigrant without right to stay or work, a street – salesman, a night-shift worker, an admired dancer, a taxi driver, a businessman, a painter, a care taker, an artist …. I was the worst enemy and the most precious friend, I was despised and I was admired, I met bad people and great people and at the end I met love, security and family.
I have been fascinated by form and structure my whole life long. I felt great weaving different liana, leaves or grasses into baskets, mats, plates or just beautiful shapes as a child, making wooden sculptures as a teenager, painting as a young adult and finally combining materials and techniques to enclose messages I want to share with the world.
Sometimes I see ac hair, an old lamp, a worn out carpet, a lonely earring, a lost pearl or a piece of wood and they are talking to me. They say “take me, free my soul, show the world, who I really am and what I can really do”.
And I free them, pamper them and let them help me tell my stories with their powerful expressions.
I do believe there is nothing, which is worthless in this universe, because one day it could serve as an example for others to learn from. Life is either so short or just too long. The moment we start to understand the logic of beautiful, decent life, we lose it; death – why are thou so unfriendly?
“Finding Value in Everything: A Life of Expression”
“Nothing in this universe is worthless; every soul, every object, every moment holds a story waiting to be freed and shared.”