Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya (born 30 August 1932) is a Nigerian printmaker, painter and sculptor. He has exhibited at the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Malmo Konsthall in Malmo, Sweden. The National Gallery of Modern Art, Lagos, has an exhibit of colorful abstract canvases by Onobrakpeya,...
Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya (born 30 August 1932) is a Nigerian printmaker, painter and sculptor. He has exhibited at the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Malmo Konsthall in Malmo, Sweden. The National Gallery of Modern Art, Lagos, has an exhibit of colorful abstract canvases by Onobrakpeya, and his works were found at the Virtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art.
Bruce Onobrakpeya was born in Agbarha-Otor in Delta State, the son of an Urhobo carver. He was raised as a Christian but also learned the traditional beliefs. His family moved to Benin City, Edo State, when he was a child. He attended Western Boys High School, where he was taught art by Edward Ivehivboje. While in high school, he also attended drawing classes at the British Council Art Club in Benin City. During this time Onobrakpeya was inspired by the watercolour paintings of Emmanuel Erabor and a lecture given by Ben Enwonwu, art advisor to the Nigerian government. After leaving high school, Onobrakpeya was hired as an art teacher at the Western Boys High School (1953-56). In 1956 he left for Ondo, where he taught at the Ondo Boys High School for a year.
RECOGNITION
"Bruce Onobrakpeya is amongst the most successful artists to have emerged in West Africa during the 20th century, with continuing and commanding influence on the generation of artists in Nigeria, who have come to maturity in the post colonial period." -John Picton, professor of art history and archeology, in his essay "Modernism and Modernity in African Art"
Honorary D. Litt. from the University of Ibadan in 1989. Honourable mention at the Venice Biennale. Fellowship of the Society of Nigerian Artists on 6 June 2000.
Pope John Paul II award for painting the life of Saint Paul Fellowship of Asele Institute award.
Sadam Hussein award.
Solidra Circle award, and Fulbright Exchange Scholar award. Onobrakpeya is the recipient of the Living Human Treasure Award (2006) given by UNESCO.
Second winner of Nigeria's prestigious Nigerian Creativity Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria on 14 September 2010. Its first winner was Chinua Achebe. Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts (Hon. D. A) from the Delta State University, 2017.
Recipient of (NNOM) Nigerian National Order of Merit, 2017, the apex and the most important award for scholastic excellence in Nigeria.
Recipient of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize his significant contributions to the long existing cultural and arts relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria in 2024.
