Erhabor Emokpae

Erhabor Emokpae
OON
Born Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae
(1934-05-09)9 May 1934
Benin City, Edo State
Died 16 February 1984(1984-02-16) (aged 49)
Lagos State
Resting place Benin City
Nationality Nigerian
Alma mater Yaba Trade Centre
Notable work FESTAC '77 emblem
Oil painting of Queen Amina
Freize decorations at National Arts Theatre
Style
Movement Society of Nigeria Artists
Lagos Arts Council

Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae, OON, (9 May 1934 – 16 February 1984) was a renowned Nigerian sculptor, muralist, graphic artist and painter who is also regarded as one of the pioneers of modern arts in Nigeria.[1] Some of his notable works include the crafting of a replica of the ivory mask of Queen Idia which was used as the official emblem of Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture event[2] and the Queen Amina painting. He is also responsible for the decorations on the four entrances of the National Arts Theatre, in Lagos.[3]

Early life and education

Erhabor Emokpae, a native of Oredo local government area in Edo State, was born on 9 May 1934 to a Bini atheist chief and a Muslim mother in Benin City where he finished his basic education at Government School, Benin before proceeding to Yaba Trade Centre (now Yaba College of Technology. He went on to study art in England in 1963.[4] The background of his upbringing made him dwell on themes of dualism in most of his artworks.[5][6]

Career

After graduating from Yaba Trade Centre, Erhabor participated in the 1950 "Festival of Arts" exhibition in Lagos before he proceeded to work as a trainee and commercial artist between 1954–1958 at the Ministry of Information, Enugu after he got employed as an artist by the Federal Ministry of Information in 1953.[7]

In 1958, he moved into Lagos and got employed by the West African Publicity (now Lintas West Africa, Lagos) as a creative visual artist. He went on to be promoted as the Senior Creative Advertisement Visual Artist in 1966 and in 1973 he became the Creative Director of the firm. He is regarded as one of the founding members of the Society of Nigerian Artists, an association he went on to hold the post of secretary from 1967–1975. He was also a member of the Lagos Arts Council and held the position of secretary in 1965.[8]

Works and exhibitions

1976 oil painting of Queen Amina by Erhabor Emokpae

During his lifetime, Erhabor initiated and held many exhibitions in several countries including Nigeria, West Germany, London and Brazil. He also took part in joint exhibitions including the "Contemporary African Art", "Camden Art Centre, London", the "Contemporary Nigerian Prints and Painting" and the University of Ife's "4th Ife Festival of the Arts Gallery" in 1971.[9]

In 1973, he produced a replica of the Benin Pendant Mask as the official emblem for the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture in 1977. He was also commissioned to design bronze decorations at the frieze and entrances of the National Arts Theatre in 1974.[10]

Recognition

In recognition for his contributions, he was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger by Shehu Shagari in 1980.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Thomas Riggs; Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (1997). St. James Guide to Black Artists. St. James Press. ISBN 978-1-55862-220-3.
  2. ↑ Toyin Falola; Ann Genova (1 July 2009). Historical Dictionary of Nigeria. Scarecrow Press. pp. 369–. ISBN 978-0-8108-6316-3.
  3. ↑ Agwonorobo Enaeme Eruvbetine; Nina Emma Mba (1991). The Humanities and National Development in Nigeria. Nelson Publishers. ISBN 978-978-126-175-6.
  4. ↑ Jean Kennedy (17 July 1992). NEW CURRENTS ANCIENT RIVERS. Smithsonian Institution Press.
  5. ↑ Juliet Highet. Five Nigerian Artists, Five Nigerian Artists, African Arts > Vol. 2, No. 2 (Winter, 1969), pp. 34–41
  6. ↑ Dele Jegede. The Essential Emokpae (PDF).
  7. ↑ Nigeria magazine. 1966.
  8. ↑ Edward Harland Duckworth (1984). Nigeria Magazine. Government of Nigeria.
  9. ↑ Nzoiwu Azuka Abigael. "The Life and Art of Erhabor Emokpae: A case study of National Theatre". African Journals Online. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "Erhabor Emokpae". OYASAF. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  11. ↑ Christopher Osadiaye Orumwese Ugowe (2000). Eminent Nigerians of the twentieth century. Hugo Books. ISBN 978-978-33328-3-6.
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