BRUCE ONOBRAPKEYA

BRUCE ONOBRAKPEYA IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED AND VERSATILE NIGERIAN ARTIST WHO HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN ART PARTICULARLY IN SCULPTURE AND PRINT MAKING.

Born on May 30th, 1932 in Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria, Onobrakpeya developed an early interest in art, which he pursued through his studies at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (now Ahmadu Bello University) in Zaria. He was influenced by his father who was a wood carver. After completing his studies, Onobrakpeya went on to teach art at various institutions, including the Nigerian College of Arts, Science And Technology, and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he passed on his knowledge and skills to the next generation of artists.

He is a member of the Zaria Arts Society later called the Zaria Rebels, which was formed On October 9th, 1958 by a group of art students at the college led by Uche Okeke with the aim of decolonizing the visual arts as taught by European Expartraits.

Onobrakpeya has said that the college gave him technical skills but the Zaria Arts Society a discussion group shaped his perspective as a professional artist. Society gave him the confidence to seek personal expressive Idiom. He elongated his figures, ignored perspective, and evoked the supernatural through ambiguous decorations. A unique blend of traditional Nigerian art forms and modern artistic techniques characterizes Onobrakpeya's work. He is especially known for his "printmaking" and "plastic paintings," a technique he developed that involves applying various materials, such as sawdust and glue, to a painted surface to create a relief effect. This technique gives his paintings a three-dimensional quality that is both visually striking and texturally interesting.

WORKS

Bruces' body of works includes a wide range of pieces spanning various mediums. Some notable works and series include.

THE FIRST SEGMENT (THE MYTHICAL REALISM 1957-1962)

This period represents paintings and lino-cut prints that depict folklore themes, and northern landscapes (Zaria). This is the period of his early development as an artist which coincided with the Nigerian Independence.

The Idea of projecting the African Personality was of major importance and concern to the artists of this period. it was at that time that the Zaria Art Society was formed which is the forerunner of SNA. Some of the works are;

1. Awhaire and the bird

2. Hunetrs Secret

3. A tree in the Northern Landscape

4. Two faces

5. Boli woman

THE SECOND SEGMENT (THE SUNSHINE PERIOD 1962-1967)

This period focuses on the artist's workshop experiments and his bronzed lino relief series known as the sunshine period. He also attended a lot of workshops. Some of the works in this period include;

1. Leopard in a cornfield

2. Scare Crow (Silkscreen)

3. Man and two wives (Silkscreen)

THE THIRD SEGMENT (THE MASK AND THE CROSS 1967-1978)

This period represents when the artist executed several Christian themes commissioned by the church such as the Nativity. Some of the works in this period include;

1. Nativity II (Lino Engraving)

2. The last days of christ (Plastocast)

3. Obara Ishoshi (bronzed lino relief)

4. Pope John Paul (metal foil)

THE FORTH SEGMENT (HISTORICAL VIGNETTE 1978-1984) 

This period represents the historical vignettes. The pictures are known as the symbols of ancestral groves and they are historical, majorly royalty from the Benin kingdom. Some of the works include;

1. Oba

2. Eghrighri

3. Ibiebe and the Tortoise

4. Enemu.

THE MASKED SERIES (1990-1995)

This period represents the development of images, which inspired depictions of masks treated in different print media that bring out the philosophies

of different and the same light, addressing the subject of change.  

SOCIAL UNREST (1990-1995)

This is a period of strife within the society. This is represented by large paintings which are prayers for divine help against military dictatorship and political instability. Here we have drawings and pictures that focus on the murder of Ken Saro Wiwa. Other works include;

1. Ekugbe (Unity)

2. Nude and Protest

3. Smoke from the broken pipe.

THE INSTALLATION PERIOD (1995-Date)

This period, Onobrakpeys embarked on installations as an art form. These works are characterized by the arrangement of different discarded materials to create works of art. These wew essentially to draw attention to the importance of protecting our environment. Works in this category include;

1. Adam and Eve

2. Adjene

3. New City III

4. Voices of Silenced Voices.

Throughout his career, Onobrakpeya has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award for Arts and the UNESCO Prize for the Promotion of the Arts. His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. and the British Museum in London. Onobrakpeya's art has also been featured in several publications, including the book "Contemporary African Art in the Diaspora," which showcases the work of African artists living outside the continent. His influence on the African art scene is undeniable, and his unique style and techniques continue to inspire and influence artists both in Nigeria and around the world. Overall, Bruce Onobrakpeya's contributions to the Nigerian and African art scene have been invaluable, and his legacy as a pioneer of contemporary African art will continue to inspire generations to come.