Bruce Onobrakpeya facts for kids
Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya (born August 30, 1932) is a famous Nigerian artist. He is known for making prints, paintings, and sculptures. His art has been shown in big museums around the world, like the Tate Modern in London and the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. You can also find his colorful abstract paintings at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Lagos, Nigeria.
Quick facts for kids
Bruce Onobrakpeya
NNOM
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Onobrakpeya signing one of his art pieces Emetore, in his Ovuomaroro Studio
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| Born | 30 August 1932 Agbara-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria
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| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria |
| Known for | Printmaker, painter and sculptor |
| Movement | Modern Nigerian art and The Harmattan Workshop Group |
| Awards | Honorable Mention at 44th Venice Biennale, 2006 Human Living Treasure Award by UNESCO and 2010 National Creativity award by Federal Government of Nigeria. Honorary D.Litt from University of Ibadan 1989 |
Contents
Early Life and Art Beginnings
Bruce Onobrakpeya was born in Agbarha-Otor, a town in Delta State, Nigeria. His father was a carver, which means he made art by shaping wood. Bruce grew up learning about both Christian and traditional Nigerian beliefs.
When he was a child, his family moved to Benin City. There, he went to Western Boys High School. His art teacher, Edward Ivehivboje, taught him a lot. Bruce also took drawing classes at the British Council Art Club. He was inspired by other artists he saw and heard speak. After high school, he taught art for a few years before going to college.
Learning Art in College
In 1957, Bruce Onobrakpeya started studying at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology. This school is now called Ahmadu Bello University. He received a scholarship from the government to study art.
At college, he learned Western art styles. But he also started mixing these styles with Nigerian stories, myths, and legends. He used shapes and designs from traditional African sculptures in his work.
The Zaria Rebels
In 1958, Bruce and other art students formed a group called the Zaria Arts Society. They were also known as the "Zaria Rebels." Their goal was to make Nigerian art more unique and less like European art. Bruce said that this group helped him find his own way of expressing himself as a Nigerian artist. He made his figures longer, didn't use typical perspective, and added mysterious decorations to show supernatural ideas.
A Career in Art
After college, Bruce Onobrakpeya went to many workshops to learn more about printmaking. He had his first art show in 1959 in Ughelli, Nigeria. Later, his art was shown in many countries, including the United States, Italy, Germany, and Britain.
He played a very important role in bringing new life to modern art in Nigeria. For many years, he also taught art at St. Gregory's College in Lagos.
The Harmattan Workshop
Bruce Onobrakpeya started the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation. This foundation organizes an art workshop every year called the Harmattan Workshop. It takes place in his hometown of Agbarha Otor. The foundation helps artists learn new skills and helps people learn more about African art.
Awards and Honors
Bruce Onobrakpeya has received many important awards for his art.
- In 1989, he received an honorary degree from the University of Ibadan.
- He received an honorable mention at the Venice Biennale, a very famous art exhibition.
- In 2000, he became a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists.
- He received the Living Human Treasure Award from UNESCO in 2006. This award recognizes people who have special skills and knowledge in traditional arts.
- In 2010, he was the second person to win Nigeria's National Creativity Award.
- In 2017, he received another honorary degree from Delta State University.
- Also in 2017, he received the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM). This is Nigeria's highest award for excellent academic work.
- In 2024, he received the U.S. Exchange Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to cultural ties between the U.S. and Nigeria.
Bruce Onobrakpeya's Art Styles
Bruce Onobrakpeya has worked in many different art styles over his long career.
Early Art: Mythical Realism
From 1957 to 1962, his art style was called Mythical Realism. He made paintings and prints that showed Nigerian folklore and landscapes. This was when Nigeria became independent, and artists wanted to show Nigerian identity in their work. Some of his works from this time include "Awhaire & the Bird" and "Zaria Indigo."
Experimenting with Printmaking
From 1962 to 1967, he experimented a lot with printmaking. He developed a technique called Bronzed Lino Relief. This involved using old linoleum blocks and making them look like bronze. He also created silkscreen prints during this time.
Christian Themes and Plastography
Between 1967 and 1978, he created many Christian art pieces for churches. These included works like "Nativity II" and "The Last Days of Christ." During this time, he also developed a new technique called Plastography. This was a deep etching method he discovered by accident with acid.
Historical and Environmental Art
Later, from 1978 to 1984, he created art called Symbols of Ancestral Groves. These pieces showed historical figures, especially kings from the Benin Kingdom.
From 1984 to 1988, his art focused on environmental issues, especially the destruction of nature in the Sahel region. These works also had political messages about good government.
Masks and Social Issues
From 1990 to 1995, he created a series of works featuring masks. These masks explored ideas about change and the philosophies of people.
Between 1995 and 1999, his art reflected the social problems and unrest in Nigeria. He made large paintings that were like prayers for help against military rule and political instability. Some of these works focused on the murder of Ken Saro Wiwa and environmental problems.
Art Installations
Since 1995, Bruce Onobrakpeya has also created art installations. These are artworks made by arranging different discarded materials. He uses these installations to draw attention to the importance of protecting our environment.
Art Techniques and Innovations
Bruce Onobrakpeya is known for inventing and improving many unique printmaking and sculpture techniques. Printmaking is a way to make multiple copies of an artwork from a single plate.
- Bronzed Lino Relief: He developed this in 1966. It's a way to save used linoleum blocks by making them look like bronze sculptures.
- Plastocast Relief: This technique uses resin to create painted low-relief designs. He casts new plates from old ones, sometimes combining small plates to make a bigger picture.
- Plastograph: This is a deep etching technique he invented in 1967. It involves engraving on a metal surface and printing it in a special way.
- Additive Plastograph: This technique uses glue on sandpaper to create images, which are then inked and pressed onto paper.
- Metal Foil Deep Etching: In the 1980s, he started using thin aluminum foil to draw engraved images. The foil is then filled with resin and attached to wood.
- Metal Foil Relief Print: This is a 3D metal foil print made by pressing thick foil over a plastocast plate by hand.
- Ivorex: This is a newer technique that makes art look like old ivory carvings, but he uses a modern material called polymer.
Ibiebe Alphabets
Bruce Onobrakpeya also created his own writing style called Ibiebe. It uses geometric and curved shapes to represent ideas. These designs are inspired by his Urhobo heritage, which is rich in symbols and proverbs. He also learned from Chinese, Japanese, and other African calligraphy. He developed Ibiebe from 1978 to 1986. These symbols often represent timeless values and can be used in paintings and sculptures.
Where to See His Work
Bruce Onobrakpeya's art is displayed in many public collections around the world:
- University of Lagos Library, Nigeria
- National Gallery of Modern Art, Lagos, Nigeria
- Museum of African and African-American Art and Antiquities, New York, USA
- Vatican Museum, Rome
- National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C., USA
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
- The British Museum, London, UK
- Tate Modern, London, UK
Books with His Illustrations
Bruce Onobrakpeya has also illustrated many books, including:
- No Longer At Ease by Chinua Achebe
- An African Night’s Entertainment by Cyprian Ekwensi
- Sugar Girl by Kola Onadipe
- Akpan and the Smugglers by Rosemary Uwemedimo
- Forest of A Thousand Daemons by Daniel Orowole Fagunwa
Films About His Work
Several films and documentaries have been made about Bruce Onobrakpeya and his art:
- Kindreds Spirits: Contemporary Nigerian Artists
- The Magic of Nigeria
- The Harmattan Workshop Experience: The Journey so far (directed by Onobrakpeya himself)
