Dr Jonathan Okewu is beaming with pride after being officially recognised by Common Ground Research Networks as a recent Emerging Scholar. The organisation is committed to building new kinds of knowledge communities, as meeting places for people, ideas, and dialogue.
Dr Okewu serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), building on his previous role as an Honorary Research Associate with the institution.
“Receiving the Emerging Scholar Award is a significant milestone and achievement for me. It’s a testament to the recognition of my research efforts at an international level,” he professed jubilantly.
As a seasoned academic with a deep passion for ceramic art, Dr Okewu brings a wealth of expertise to the field. Having completed his BA, MA and PhD in ceramic art, he has established himself as a leading figure in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of ceramics. His style of ceramics is largely conceptual and he adopts an innovative approach that transcends traditional methods of ceramic production, thus opening new horizons through clay. Through his pieces, he revives African cultural values.
Dr Okewu recently participated in the Nineteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society held at the Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea.
This conference is a culmination of the Arts in Society Research Network’s annual call for entry, which attracts submissions from scholars worldwide.
“In shortlisting the recipients, consideration is given to academic qualification, research efforts, research output and international research exposure,” he said.
Dr Okewu expressed his strong desire for DUT to host the prestigious Common Ground Research Network Conference in the near future. He revealed that conversations are underway to explore the possibility.
Dr Okewu is the author of the book: “Clay iron fillings”, available on Amazon.com. He has won awards,
prizes, residences and grants as a result of his active participation in research and art exhibitions. His unique style of ceramics fetched him an originality prize at the 2018 National Life in my City Art Festival (LIMCAF).
Dr Okewu is a recipient of the DUT Recognition for Creative Output of the Year (2022) award. As a distinguished scholar, he is affiliated with several prestigious organisations, including:
- Common Ground Research Network (CGScholars)
- Art POWA network
- Rhodes University, South Africa
- Ceramics Researchers Association of Nigeria (CerAN)
- Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA)
Aligning with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, Dr Okewu’s win highlights the vast potential of the arts.
“Engaging in research and creative output is rewarding. Additionally, upon resumption as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at DUT, I engaged with the Department of Fine Arts. Currently, conversations and efforts are underway to elevate the ceramics practice in the department which has the potential of boosting the creative output of DUT,” shared Dr Okewu.
Dr Okewu aspires to establish a more comprehensive and robust ceramics unit within the Department of Fine Arts in the Faculty of Arts and Design, driven by a desire to provide students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels with advanced training in ceramics, ultimately elevating DUT’s profile and creative output, and contributing to DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy.
Pictured: Dr Jonathan Okewu
Waheeda Peters
