Art icon, Onobrakpeya, honoured
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- Category: Arts extra
- Written by Adie Vanessa Offiong
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In recognition of Nigeria’s creative minds and their contributions towards bringing change and development in the nation, in their respective fields, legendary visual art icon, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya is the 2010 award recipient of the Creativity Award.
At a ceremony which took place last Tuesday at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, Director-General of the National Copyrights Commission, Dr. Adebambo Adewopo informed that, “The commission has painstakingly, through a panel of assessors, selected a winner for the 2010 award edition of the National Creativity award. In appreciation of the profound contributions to the development and sustenance of the country’s creative industry, the renowned printmaker, painter and sculptor, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya has been adjudged winner of this year’s award.”
According to Adewopo, “The award was given to Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya as a further recognition of his numerous achievements, as a multi media artist who has not only pioneered a uniquely Nigerian technique in deep-etching, but has also achieved a harmonious blend between traditional and contemporary expressions, without compromising the artistic integrity of the medium. As a pioneering graduate of the famous Zaria Art School (Ahmadu Bello University), he has through his wealth of knowledge brought honour to his profession and Nigeria, while his various training and mentoring programmes continue to discover and inspire young talents in the field of visual arts.”
He seized the opportunity to reassure authors and right owners that government will continue to create an enabling environment for the growth and protection of intellectual property in the creativity industry as well as encourage individuals to strive for excellence.
It will be recalled that since 1990, after the literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe received the award nobody else has received this recognition.
Dr. Onobrakpeya, while speaking on the recognition, expressed gratitude, pointing out that the awards were coming too far apart. “The awards should be given more often annually, bi-annually or every three years so that it can be put in the consciousness of every artist who will work for it.”
Creativity Award is one set aside by the Federal Government in 1995 to be celebrated on September 14. Government subsequently instituted an avenue to honour outstanding personalities through the Creativity Award.
Describing the artist as a living legend, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) said Onobrakpeya is credited to be responsible for the renaissance in contemporary Nigerian art and is renowned for his creative prowess.
While presenting him the award, he referred to the artists as a creator par excellence who has contributed in no small measure to the development of Nigerian visual arts and culture since the nation’s independence. He said, “His career started in 1959, when he had his first one-man exhibition in Ughelli, Delta State and since then has recorded artistic feats and breakthroughs. It is therefore not surprising that his creative excellence has won him numerous awards, medals and grants. But of all these, the Creativity Award is the auspicious and deserving of his excellent record as a distinguished Nigerian artist of international acclaim.
Also, as part of events honouring the legendary artist as well as a recognition of his place as the only living art master of his era, Mr. George Ufot and his team, organisers of the Nigerian Cultural and Historic Exhibition took the master printmaker on a private guided tour of the exhibition staged at the Velodrome of the National Stadium, Abuja.
Visibly impressed by the displays, Dr. Onobrakpeya expressed immense gratitude for the efforts invested towards organising and bringing the works together. He said, “This is very great. My prayer is that the works here should not be allowed to disperse. The government should do something to collect, if not all of them, most of them and find a way to preserve them. They are all very, very good. Each and every one of them has something in them that I have not come in contact with before. These are first class works and it is very impressive that such things can come up at our Golden Jubilee.
He urged that the works should be preserved, and charged the government to create the avenues to do so. “Structures should be created as well as committees set up to select works from every exhibition so that the best works will remain in the country because as it is now, when works are exhibited and they are taken, the owners, if ‘hungry,’ may be pressured to sell them off. And you never know where they may end up.”
One of the exhibitors himself, Dr. Onobrakpeya explained that his work is a reflection of the celebration of Nigeria’s 50th birthday. “While we are celebrating, we are also praying that the environment will sustain us and move us forward on to the time when we will celebrate the centenary. The dancers are dancing and going round. Life is a circle. You wake, go about your daily duties and go back to bed to wake up another day. Life goes on in circles. The cowries and beads represent wealth and the good things of life and the prayers for them,” he said.
At a ceremony which took place last Tuesday at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, Director-General of the National Copyrights Commission, Dr. Adebambo Adewopo informed that, “The commission has painstakingly, through a panel of assessors, selected a winner for the 2010 award edition of the National Creativity award. In appreciation of the profound contributions to the development and sustenance of the country’s creative industry, the renowned printmaker, painter and sculptor, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya has been adjudged winner of this year’s award.”
According to Adewopo, “The award was given to Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya as a further recognition of his numerous achievements, as a multi media artist who has not only pioneered a uniquely Nigerian technique in deep-etching, but has also achieved a harmonious blend between traditional and contemporary expressions, without compromising the artistic integrity of the medium. As a pioneering graduate of the famous Zaria Art School (Ahmadu Bello University), he has through his wealth of knowledge brought honour to his profession and Nigeria, while his various training and mentoring programmes continue to discover and inspire young talents in the field of visual arts.”
He seized the opportunity to reassure authors and right owners that government will continue to create an enabling environment for the growth and protection of intellectual property in the creativity industry as well as encourage individuals to strive for excellence.
It will be recalled that since 1990, after the literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe received the award nobody else has received this recognition.
Dr. Onobrakpeya, while speaking on the recognition, expressed gratitude, pointing out that the awards were coming too far apart. “The awards should be given more often annually, bi-annually or every three years so that it can be put in the consciousness of every artist who will work for it.”
Creativity Award is one set aside by the Federal Government in 1995 to be celebrated on September 14. Government subsequently instituted an avenue to honour outstanding personalities through the Creativity Award.
Describing the artist as a living legend, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) said Onobrakpeya is credited to be responsible for the renaissance in contemporary Nigerian art and is renowned for his creative prowess.
While presenting him the award, he referred to the artists as a creator par excellence who has contributed in no small measure to the development of Nigerian visual arts and culture since the nation’s independence. He said, “His career started in 1959, when he had his first one-man exhibition in Ughelli, Delta State and since then has recorded artistic feats and breakthroughs. It is therefore not surprising that his creative excellence has won him numerous awards, medals and grants. But of all these, the Creativity Award is the auspicious and deserving of his excellent record as a distinguished Nigerian artist of international acclaim.
Also, as part of events honouring the legendary artist as well as a recognition of his place as the only living art master of his era, Mr. George Ufot and his team, organisers of the Nigerian Cultural and Historic Exhibition took the master printmaker on a private guided tour of the exhibition staged at the Velodrome of the National Stadium, Abuja.
Visibly impressed by the displays, Dr. Onobrakpeya expressed immense gratitude for the efforts invested towards organising and bringing the works together. He said, “This is very great. My prayer is that the works here should not be allowed to disperse. The government should do something to collect, if not all of them, most of them and find a way to preserve them. They are all very, very good. Each and every one of them has something in them that I have not come in contact with before. These are first class works and it is very impressive that such things can come up at our Golden Jubilee.
He urged that the works should be preserved, and charged the government to create the avenues to do so. “Structures should be created as well as committees set up to select works from every exhibition so that the best works will remain in the country because as it is now, when works are exhibited and they are taken, the owners, if ‘hungry,’ may be pressured to sell them off. And you never know where they may end up.”
One of the exhibitors himself, Dr. Onobrakpeya explained that his work is a reflection of the celebration of Nigeria’s 50th birthday. “While we are celebrating, we are also praying that the environment will sustain us and move us forward on to the time when we will celebrate the centenary. The dancers are dancing and going round. Life is a circle. You wake, go about your daily duties and go back to bed to wake up another day. Life goes on in circles. The cowries and beads represent wealth and the good things of life and the prayers for them,” he said.
Articles
Art icon, Onobrakpeya, honoured
Category: Arts extra Written by Adie Vanessa Offiong Hits: 899
In recognition of Nigeria’s creative minds and their contributions towards bringing change and development in the nation, in their respective fields, legendary visual art icon, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya is the 2010 award recipient of the Creativity Award.At a ceremony which took place last Tuesday at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, Director-General of the National Copyrights Commission, Dr. Adebambo Adewopo informed that, “The commission has painstakingly, through a panel of assessors, selected a winner for the 2010 award edition of the National Creativity award. In appreciation of the profound contributions to the development and sustenance of the country’s creative industry, the renowned printmaker, painter and sculptor, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya has been adjudged winner of this year’s award.”
According to Adewopo, “The award was given to Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya as a further recognition of his numerous achievements, as a multi media artist who has not only pioneered a uniquely Nigerian technique in deep-etching, but has also achieved a harmonious blend between traditional and contemporary expressions, without compromising the artistic integrity of the medium. As a pioneering graduate of the famous Zaria Art School (Ahmadu Bello University), he has through his wealth of knowledge brought honour to his profession and Nigeria, while his various training and mentoring programmes continue to discover and inspire young talents in the field of visual arts.”
He seized the opportunity to reassure authors and right owners that government will continue to create an enabling environment for the growth and protection of intellectual property in the creativity industry as well as encourage individuals to strive for excellence.
It will be recalled that since 1990, after the literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe received the award nobody else has received this recognition.
Dr. Onobrakpeya, while speaking on the recognition, expressed gratitude, pointing out that the awards were coming too far apart. “The awards should be given more often annually, bi-annually or every three years so that it can be put in the consciousness of every artist who will work for it.”
Creativity Award is one set aside by the Federal Government in 1995 to be celebrated on September 14. Government subsequently instituted an avenue to honour outstanding personalities through the Creativity Award.
Describing the artist as a living legend, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) said Onobrakpeya is credited to be responsible for the renaissance in contemporary Nigerian art and is renowned for his creative prowess.
While presenting him the award, he referred to the artists as a creator par excellence who has contributed in no small measure to the development of Nigerian visual arts and culture since the nation’s independence. He said, “His career started in 1959, when he had his first one-man exhibition in Ughelli, Delta State and since then has recorded artistic feats and breakthroughs. It is therefore not surprising that his creative excellence has won him numerous awards, medals and grants. But of all these, the Creativity Award is the auspicious and deserving of his excellent record as a distinguished Nigerian artist of international acclaim.
Also, as part of events honouring the legendary artist as well as a recognition of his place as the only living art master of his era, Mr. George Ufot and his team, organisers of the Nigerian Cultural and Historic Exhibition took the master printmaker on a private guided tour of the exhibition staged at the Velodrome of the National Stadium, Abuja.
Visibly impressed by the displays, Dr. Onobrakpeya expressed immense gratitude for the efforts invested towards organising and bringing the works together. He said, “This is very great. My prayer is that the works here should not be allowed to disperse. The government should do something to collect, if not all of them, most of them and find a way to preserve them. They are all very, very good. Each and every one of them has something in them that I have not come in contact with before. These are first class works and it is very impressive that such things can come up at our Golden Jubilee.
He urged that the works should be preserved, and charged the government to create the avenues to do so. “Structures should be created as well as committees set up to select works from every exhibition so that the best works will remain in the country because as it is now, when works are exhibited and they are taken, the owners, if ‘hungry,’ may be pressured to sell them off. And you never know where they may end up.”
One of the exhibitors himself, Dr. Onobrakpeya explained that his work is a reflection of the celebration of Nigeria’s 50th birthday. “While we are celebrating, we are also praying that the environment will sustain us and move us forward on to the time when we will celebrate the centenary. The dancers are dancing and going round. Life is a circle. You wake, go about your daily duties and go back to bed to wake up another day. Life goes on in circles. The cowries and beads represent wealth and the good things of life and the prayers for them,” he said.