15 Facts About Magdalene Odundo

Magdalene Odundo's work is in the collections of notable museums including the Art Institute of Chicago, The British Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Museum of African Art.

Magdalene Odundo has been Chancellor of the University for the Creative Arts since 2018.

Magdalene Odundo was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and received her early education in both India and Kenya.

Magdalene Odundo attended the Kabete National Polytechnic in Kenya to study Graphics and Commercial Art and later moved to England in 1971 to follow her chosen vocation in Graphic Design.

Magdalene Odundo travelled to San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico, to observe the making of black-burnished vessels.

Magdalene Odundo then earned a master's degree at the Royal College of Art in London.

Magdalene Odundo uses the same types of techniques used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans and likes to take inspiration from countries such as China and Mexico.

Many of the vessels Magdalene Odundo creates are reminiscent of the human form, often following the curves of the spine, stomach, or hair.

Magdalene Odundo's work is a part of permanent collections of nearly 50 international museums including:.

Magdalene Odundo's free-form drawing style replicates the same shape and form as her vessels, serving as a glimpse into how Odundo perceives her three-dimensional works in two dimensions.

In 2019 there was a major exhibition that centred on a group of more than 50 of her works, alongside other works of art that Magdalene Odundo saw as relating to or influencing her work; the exhibition was titled 'The Journey of Things'.

Magdalene 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 and University of the Arts London.

Magdalene Odundo was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to art in the 2008 Birthday Honours and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to art and arts education.

Magdalene Odundo has been recognized as a significant player in contemporary ceramics, making her name a large contributor to African Art in the US during the 1990s.

In 2017 it was announced that Magdalene Odundo would take up the role of Chancellor of the University for the Creative Arts from June 2018.