Kenyan Professor makes Kenyans proud after being named Chancellor of UK Arts University

World-renowned Kenyan-born artist and Professor of Ceramics, Magdalene Odundo, has hit global headlines, with the West Surrey College of Art and Design graduate poised to succeed Dame Zandra Rhodes in June 2018 as University for the Creative Arts Chancellor.The Kenyan-born artist has seen her ceramic art work exhibited in museums worldwide.In 2008, she was awarded an OBE for services to the arts, and also received the African Art Recognition Award.Magdalene Odundo was a Professor of Ceramics at UCA for many years, as well as achieving a first-class degree in 3DD Design: Ceramics, Printmaking & Photography from UCA's Farnham campus.Excited Odundo could not help but reveal how happy she is to be given the opportunity."It is an honour to be invited to continue my relationship with a university I have been closely associated with over many years."Odundo said. Odundo has been representing Kenya to the fullest while abroad judging by her impressive academic qualifications and artistic works. It is not the first time the Professor is in the news. In August 2012, she smashed her own ceramic British auction record from April 2010.Her 1985 burnished terracotta vessel which sold for Ksh 4.3 million only opened doors for her, with her untitled 1991 vessel fetching more at Sotheby’s New York two years later, a record Ksh 12 million, making her artwork the most expensive to be sold by a living British ceramicist.UCA Vice-Chancellor Professor Bashir Makhoul has said: "Professor Odundo is one of the world's greatest contemporary potters and a continual source of inspiration to students at UCA."We are delighted that she is stepping into this role and are confident that she will be an excellent ambassador both for UCA and the subjects we teach."