| Birth Place: | Enugu, Nigeria |
| Alma Mater: | University of Port Harcourt |
| Occupation: | Photographer |
| Years Active: | 1996 - Present |
| Other Names: | Uche James-Iroha; Uchechukwu James Iroha |
| Spouse: | Chinwe James Iroha (m. 2007) |
| Father: | James Iroha |
| Awards: | Prince Claus Award 2008 |
James Iroha Uchechukwu is a Nigerian photographer. He was born in 1972 in Enugu. He is known for his photography, his support to young photographers, and the passing on of his knowledge to the young. He is also regarded at the beginning of the 21st century as someone that has broadened the horizon of Nigerian photography.[1]
Uchechukwu is the third child of the popular Nigerian comedian James Iroha who created the famous TV comedy show - The New Masquerade and also acted as the character Gringori.[2] He credits his dad as the strongest influence in his works[3]
Uchechukwu started to study sculpture in 1990 at the Art Academy of the University of Port Harcourt. He obtained his degree in 1996, and directly afterwards continued study in what is now his current profession, photography. In his work, Uchechukwu melts together the reproduction of common reality with the creative "language" of the imagination, whereby he extends the possibilities of photography and is giving a new direction to local art.[4]
He is co-founder of Depth of Field (DOF), a collective of photographers, artist, and painters. He took the initiative to bring together six talented young photographers to form DOF. He organized several exhibitions of their work in Nigeria as well as abroad. He also teaches photography by giving seminars and workshops.[5]
In 2004. Uchechukwu presented a series of award winning photos on butcher's shops in the open air in Lagos, with the name Fire, Flesh and Blood. The photo series initially had a documentary character, but got the public's attentions as well because of its artistic mélange of colorful and smokey close-ups. The 2008 jury of the Prince Claus Fund describes the photo series as intense, cru, powerful and poetic.[6] [7]
In 2005. Uchechukwu received the Élan Price on the African Photography Encounters in Mali for his work Fire, Flesh and Blood. In 2008 he was honored with a Prince Claus Award from the Netherlands.
Uche is a Christian. He met and married his wife Chinwe in 2007.[8]
Uchechukwu participated in several exhibitions, including the following:[9] [10] [11] [12] [13]