Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu (Ben Enwonwu) MBE

Profile

Country: Nigeria

Style: Contemporary Art, Sculpting

Media: oil on panel, watercolours, pastels; bronze, wood

Fun Fact: There is a crater in mercury named in his honour

Quote:

“I will not accept an inferior position in the art world. Nor have my art called African because I have not correctly and properly given expression to my reality. I have consistently fought against that kind of philosophy because it is bogus.” European artists like Picasso, Braque and Vlaminck were influenced by African art. Everybody sees that and is not opposed to it. But when they see African artists who are influenced by their European training and techniue, they expect that African to stick to their traditional forms even if he bends down to copying them. I do not copy traditional art. I like what I see in the works of people like Giacometti but I do not copy them. I knew Giacometti personally in England, you know. I knew he was influenced by African sculptures. But I would not be influenced by Giacometti, because he was influenced by my ancestors”.

Paintings: 1. Agbogho mmo 2. Anyanwu, The Awakening 3. Africa Dances 4. Crucified Gods Galore 5. Ben Enwonwu

Contacts: http://www.benenwonwufoundation.org/

Through exhibitions, education and public debate, our mission is to:
· increase the global perception and appreciation of modern and contemporary African art;
· create opportunities and encourage research into new forms of artistic expression while improving the livelihood of artists in Africa;
· investigate and determine how art and culture can be employed to shape and contribute positively to society.