International Ceramic Artist Magdalene Odundo Receives Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) recognized Magdalene Odundo with an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts on Friday, April 25, 2014, in Gainesville, Fla. Odundo is a professor of ceramics at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in Surrey, United Kingdom, and is on UCA’s research team at the Crafts Study Centre.
Other than the earned doctorate, an honorary degree is the greatest recognition the University of Florida can give an individual. The awarding of an honorary degree is recognition of eminent achievement in scholarship or high distinction in public service that exemplifies the purposes and ideals of the University of Florida.
“Magdalene’s contributions to the world of art have been exemplary and sundry over the span of her career,” said Richard Heipp, director of the School of Art + Art History. “She is one of the most respected, recognized and celebrated ceramic artists in the world.”
Odundo is an international ceramic artist known for her distinct hand built anthropomorphic vessel forms. Born in Nairobi, Odundo grew up in Mombasa, Kenya and earned a Bachelor of Arts in 3DD Ceramics from West Surrey College of Art & Design in Farnham, Surrey, UK, and a Master of Arts in Ceramics from the Royal College of Art, London, UK. Odundo’s work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions as well as many public collections. In 2008 she received an OBE in the queen’s birthday honors in recognition of her contribution to education and the arts and was the recipient of the African Art Recognition Award from Detroit Institute of Art. In 2012 she was recognized with the African Heritage Outstanding Achievement in the Arts award.
To learn more about Odundo, visit www.magdaleneodundo.com. To learn about other Honorary Degree recipients, visit www.president.ufl.edu/office/honors-awards/honorary-degree-recipients.
About the College of Fine Arts
The College of Fine Arts is one the 16 colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla. The College of Fine Arts offers baccalaureate, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in its three fully-accredited schools — the School of Art and Art History, School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance. The college is home to the Center for Arts in Medicine, Center for World Arts, Digital Worlds Institute and the New World School of the Arts in Miami. More than 100 faculty members and more than 1,220 students work together daily to engage, inspire and create. The college hosts more than 300 events each year and faculty and students also exhibit and perform at other local, national and international venues. Guests are welcome to attend college events and visit the University Galleries, University Auditorium and Constans Theatre, among other on-campus arts venues. To learn more, visit www.arts.ufl.edu.
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