Professor Benedict Chukadibia Enwonwu
Professor Benedict Chukadibia Enwonwu (14 July 1921–5 February 1994), better known as Ben Enwonwu, was a Nigerian painter and sculptor of Igbo ethnic extraction whose towering achievements speak volumes from the beautiful shores of Nigeria to the palaces of Royalties in Europe as well as in private and public collections all over the world. He is arguably one of the most famous of Nigeria’s pre- and post-independence artists, whose artistic exploits nationally and internationally is legendary and has been a role model to Nigerian and other African artists.
Ben Enwonwu is also Nigeria's pioneering modernist, straddled the colonial and post-colonial eras, attempted to balance competing constituencies: the colonial establishment that supported him, the younger generation of artists who followed him, and his own creative and political needs. Deeply influenced and inspired by Igbo aesthetics and philosophy, Enwonwu repeatedly turned to the vigorous imagery of Igbo masquerades and dancers.
Agbogbho Mmuo, one of the masquerade paintings of Ben Enwonwu
Ben Enwonwu is also Nigeria's pioneering modernist, straddled the colonial and post-colonial eras, attempted to balance competing constituencies: the colonial establishment that supported him, the younger generation of artists who followed him, and his own creative and political needs. Deeply influenced and inspired by Igbo aesthetics and philosophy, Enwonwu repeatedly turned to the vigorous imagery of Igbo masquerades and dancers.
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