₦airaland Forum

Ben Enwonwu Turns 103 Today

Odinigwe Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu MBE (14 July 1917 – 5 February 1994), better known as Ben Enwonwu, was a Nigerian painter and sculptor.

Arguably the most influential African artist of the 20th century, his pioneering career opened the way for the postcolonial proliferation and increased visibility of modern African art.

He was one of the first African artists to win critical acclaim, having exhibited in august exhibition spaces in Europe and the United States and listed in international directories of contemporary art. Since 1950, Enwonwu was celebrated as "Africa's Greatest Artist" by the international media and his fame was used to enlist support for Black Nationalists movement all over the world. The Enwonwu crater on the planet Mercury is named in his honour.

Notable works
1951 – Portrait of Chief Candido Joao Da Rocha which was exhibited during FESTAC LAGOS 1977
1956 – Bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II
1964 – Sango: the Yoruba god of lightning and thunder
1971 – Christine: Sold in 2019 for $1.4 million.
1973 – Tutu
1986 – Risen Christ: was displayed University of Ibadan but was torched as a result of a political-religious tensions.
Enwonwu's work is displayed in the National Gallery of Modern Art, Lagos. His works can also be viewed at the Virtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art.

Awards
1944 - Shell Petroleum Scholarship: to study in the United Kingdom
1954- National Merit Award: for academic and intellectual attainment in Nigeria
1958 - Commonwealth Certificate in London: for contributions to art by the Royal Institute of Art
1958 - Member of the Order of the British Empire
1971 - Officer of the National Order of the Republic in Senegal
1980 - National Order of Merit in Nigeria: for contributions to art in Nigeria

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Enwonwu

Yoruba Igbo Amaka

Only d ones that have been and lived to SW performing exceedingly

Happy birthday to him, I wish him long life and properity

Ben Enweonwu...rip

Odinigwe Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu!!!

Your works speak for you including
Cotton trees
Girls in waiting
Feeling African
Three African Women Dancing and many more

Alhaji lalasticlala Gambaru

The honourable minister of birthday affairs of the federal Republic of Nairaland

Abeg no mind me I'm high this morning

I'm confused Sha, should I say Happy Birthday or Rest in Peace?
Like if happy birthday
share if rest in Peace

Okay

Iyai yoo


¿ %

Happy Birthday our own finest

Congrats

What's our business with this now? Somebody dat is not evn a Nigerian

Mraphel:
Yoruba Igbo Amaka

Only d ones been to SW performing exceedingly

Including Dora Akunyili, who lived all her life time in south West

Ebi like say today for nairaland n.a. dead people dia Posthumous Birthday ooo.....if only they can see and hear us...Respect to each of them that has made us n this country proud!

ApostleAnarchy:
R I.p

did he die?

Back in secondary school, Ben Enwuonwu and Bruce Onobrakpeya's arts were some of the arts we were taught.

The man looks like someone that slayed and lived the white man's kind of lifestyle during his time on earth.

ApostleAnarchy:
R I.p

If I tell u to leave weed u will not agree

Person wey don die tey tey u still dey type RIP

Igbo blood is very very thick

It's like Posthumous birthday is the trend.

So it was an Igbo man that designed and carved Sango for the Yorubas??

Wonders shall never end and Yorubas won't tell you this.

Mraphel:
Yoruba Igbo Amaka

Only d ones been to SW performing exceedingly

Yoruba people have now resorted to claiming anything Igbo on Nairaland, so much for inferiority Complex

DamnnNiggarr:
So it was an Igbo man that designed and carved Sango for the Yorubas??

Wonders shall never end and Yorubas won't tell you this.

I was weakened when I saw it

Your manhood lives on Ben

Ben enweonwu jere uka onwu n' enwe onwu.

Mraphel:
Yoruba Igbo Amaka

Only d ones been to SW performing exceedingly

Realising you can't hold ground against Igbos on any achievements ,you people have now resorted to claiming Igbo people

I love arts work

these are the kinds of people whose pictures should be on the naira note, people that have made great impact to the good image of this country, not cows and calabash