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African Samurai

Patricia Ulter

Profile picture of Patricia Ulter

Patricia Uter was born in Kingston Jamaica in 1956.  She has lived in London since 1962.  Graduating in Fine Art at the Central School of Art and Design 1978, she focussed on still-life oil painting and self-portraits in clay.

Her practice explores the wealth and fullness of a multifaceted Caribbean heritage.  Patricia is an intuitive artist, inspired by visceral connections from the African, Iberian, Jewish and Indian diaspora.  Natural, often recycled materials are used to create tactile thought-provoking narratives.

Her meticulously handcrafted studies reference and pay reverence to ancient textiles and sculptural traditions whilst celebrating intimate stories investigating the universal cyclical themes of love, longing, belonging and legacy.  Amid technical and emotional intensities, Patricia’s artwork describe complex themes as they journey between cultures. 

Patricia Uter was born in Kingston Jamaica in 1956.  She has lived in London since 1962.  Graduat...

Inspired by ancient textiles and the V&A’s Samurai collection, Patricia’s monochromatic study ‘African Samurai’ adopts the colonial legacy of recycling and repurposing materials.   

It acknowledges and embraces the strengths of the African diaspora, eg the stole – as a liturgical vestment pays reverence to indigenous religious practices; the use of African waist beads in the belt.   

Embodying a sense of fortitude, triumph and pride, it celebrates the ethos of the Bushido Samurai who fought for peace and justice; the onna-musha/ onna-bugeisha - female Samurai, relates to Patricia’s journey as a single parent and one who has fought her own legal battles.   

Final work

Mannequin with white and brown samurai inspired garments. Includes neckpiece, belt and vest
Mannequin with white and brown samurai inspired garments. Includes neckpiece, belt and vest

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African Samurai

Inspired by ancient textiles and the V&A’s Samurai collection, Patricia’s monochromatic study ‘African Samurai’ adopts the colonial legacy of recycling and repurposing materials.   It acknowledges and embraces the strengths of the African diaspora, eg...

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