This exhibition, running from June 21 to January 21, 2025, offers a unique glimpse into Onobrakpeya's creative journey between 1966 and 1978, according to Africa Related.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art in Washington D.C., U.S. is presenting "Bruce Onobrakpeya: The Mask and the Cross", a showcase of the renowned Nigerian sculptor and printmaker's works.
This exhibition, running from June 21 to January 21, 2025, offers a unique glimpse into Onobrakpeya's creative journey between 1966 and 1978, according to Africa Related.
During this period, he received several commissions from the Catholic Church, including his iconic "Fourteen Stations of the Cross" series, which is featured in the exhibition.
In "Bruce Onobrakpeya: The Mask and the Cross", Oyiza Adaba, a Nigerian journalist and producer with over 20 years of experience both on and behind the camera in several multimedia productions, guides viewers through a captivating exhibition on display from June 21, 2024, to January 21, 2025.
The showcase features a selection of Onobrakpeya's works created between 1966 and 1978, including his renowned "Fourteen Stations of the Cross" series, commissioned by the Catholic Church.
The exhibition also celebrates Onobrakpeya's profound impact on Nigerian art, displaying works from the museum's collection that demonstrate his influence on subsequent generations of artists.
The opening ceremony brought together a diverse group of dignitaries, art enthusiasts, collectors, and family members, all united by a shared appreciation for Onobrakpeya's remarkable legacy.
As the National Museum of African Art marks its 60th anniversary, it presents a vibrant summer program featuring a diverse range of exhibitions.
In addition to "Bruce Onobrakpeya: The Mask and the Cross", the museum is showcasing five other captivating exhibitions: "Benin Bronzes: Ambassadors of the Oba", "Before Nollywood: The Ideal Photo Studio", Ayana V Jackson's "Into The Deep", John Akomfrah's "Five Mumirations", and "Water in African Arts".
This exciting lineup celebrates the museum's six decades of showcasing the rich artistic heritage of Africa.
“Blending Christian iconography, Nigerian folklore and West African traditions, Onobrakpeya’s art interprets spiritualism through a global lens. Biblical stories are presented with Nigerian characters and environments, such as the “Passion of Christ” depicting Roman soldiers in British military uniforms and Jesus in Nigerian robes,” says the National Museum of African Art.
Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya, a renowned Nigerian artist, was born on August 30, 1932.
He is a versatile creative, excelling as a printmaker, painter, and sculptor. Notably, he illustrated Chinua Achebe's seminal work, "No Longer at Ease" (1958), a landmark in African literature. Onobrakpeya is celebrated as one of the most accomplished artists to emerge in West Africa during the 20th century, with a profound impact on post-colonial Nigerian art.
His artistic journey began at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology in 1957, where he received training in Western representational art.
This period marked the start of his exploration of Nigerian folklore, myths, and legends, which would later become a hallmark of his work. Onobrakpeya's distinctive style draws inspiration from traditional African sculpture and decorative arts, blending elements to create a unique visual language.
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