Ugochukwu Akabike
(Pronounced: ooo-go chew koo - ah kah bee kay)I am Nigerian-American, of the Igbo and Yoruba people.
My name is actually a sentence that translates to “The gift from God with a strong hand”.
I have 4 middle names, one of them being “Blaine”, the Pokèmon trainer. (There’s a funny story behind that, for another time.)
I usually just go by Ugo though.
(b. 1998) I was raised in Southern California, in a town called Chino. (No, not Chino Hills.)
I’m now based in San Diego and fulfilling my passions by practicing photography, painting, and sketching.
As a photographer, I have diverse interests, but what I enjoy most is working on portraits, travel, and products.
I have been sketching and taking pictures for as long as I can remember. Creating is what feels most natural to me, so I decided to study that, amongst other things.
I received my Bachelors Degree in Digital Art and Technology from the University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) in 2020 and will be completing my Masters Degree in Accounting and Finance at Birkbeck University (London, UK) in 2024.
I do my best to capture moments that are easy to miss, but fondly remembered.
I do this through any medium necessary, mostly art, photography and some other creative endeavors.
Use these links to see my work.
Follow my photography on instagram @ugoakabike
Follow my art on instagram @cybin5000
See my photography portfolio.
See my art portfolio.
Inquire about bookings and projects through the contact form below.
Contact Ugo
Resume
CV (Photography)
Solo Exhibitions
2022
Caught Existing - The Erb Memorial Union
2021
Fond Reminiscence - The Erb Memorial Union
1998-Present
An Artist’s Retrospective - My Mother’s Kitchen Fridge
Group Exhibitions
2020
Don’t Touch My Hair - The Black Cultural Center
2019
Don’t Touch My Hair - The Erb Memorial Union
Common Thread - The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
(Painting) Women Ball Too - The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
(Painting) Art of the Athlete - The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
(Painting) Reflections and Connections - The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
2018
Don’t Touch My Hair - The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Art of the Athlete -The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
NAACP Showcase - The Collier House
Museum Experience
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (2017-2020)
Exhibition Photographer | Art Educator
Exhibition Assistant | Program Assistant
Philanthropy Assistant | Special Events Coordinator
Selected Clients
University of Oregon Communications
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Selected Publications
2019
The Daily Emerald
The Oregon Quarterly
Align Mag
2018
NPR
The Register Guard
The Daily Emerald
The Oregon Quarterly
Klcc
Interviews, Podcasts, & Speaking Engagements
2022
Visual Arts Team
Artist Talk - Caught Existing
2021
Ducks Swimming Softly
Podcast
Visual Arts Team
Artist Talk - Fond Reminiscence
2019
The Daily Emerald
Interview - Common Thread
Align Mag
Interview - Common Thread
2018
NPR
Interview - Don’t Touch My Hair
The Register Guard
Interview - Don’t Touch My Hair
Awards
2020
Black Artist of the Year - The Black Student Union at the University of Oregon
2019
Student Research Award - Common Thread - The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
2018
Student Research Award - Don’t Touch My Hair - The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art