Nigerian Contemporary Artists
Nigerian Contemporary artists are artists that
belong to our modern generation. These are
artist of our time. Some of them are the
pioneers in the field of art in Nigeria. They lay
the foundation and see to the survival of art
through various consultations, personal efforts
and group efforts in producing classical work of
arts.
Some of these artist attended formal
educational training in schools, while others
attended informal training workshops and
apprentice system of education These artists
specialized in studio, education, performing
and craft arts.
Some Nigerian Artist and their areas of
Specialization
1. Chief. Aina Onabolu = Art Educator and Painter
2. Prof. Ben Enwonwu = Art Educator, Sculptor and Painter
3. Bruce Onabrakpeya = Print Making and Etching
4. Yusuf Grillo = Painter and Art Educator
5. Kolade Oshinowo = Painter and Art Educator
6. Uche Okeke = Painter
7. Abayomi Barber = Painter and Art Educator
8. Madam Ladi Kwali = Traditional Potter
9. Solomon Wangboje = Painter, Graphic Artist and Art Educator
10. Olaniyi Oseni Taiwo (Twin 77) = Painter and Theatre
11. Hubert Ogunde = Theatre Art
12. Lamidi Fakeye = Traditional Carver
13. Prof. Wole Soyinka = Literary Art/ Writer
14. Jossy Ajiboye = Cartoonist and painter e.t.c.
Aina Onabolu’s Early life and Education
(1882-1963)
Aina Onabolu was born in Ijebu-Ode. He
started painting at the early age of 12,
inspired by the cheap re-produced
illustrations of Western arts which were
prominent in many Nigerian magazines and
religious books. By the age of 32, he was
able to exhibit his own works and was quite
popular as a knowledgeable and skilled
artist. He later traveled abroad to study art at
Académie Julian in Paris and St. John
Woods College, London in 1922; before his
sojourn abroad, he was already a competent
and self taught drawer. He completed his
studies with a diploma in fine arts and a
Contribution to Art instruction in Nigeria
In 1909, Onabolu formally presented request for the
introduction of modern arts education in secondary schools
but his option was rejected by the colonial education
officers.
Onabolu's return from St John Woods, London, in 1922 and
his acquired knowledge of the European technique of
painting, anatomy and the characteristics of European art
education coincided with a new perspective on introducing
indigenous art education in the country. Onabolu, who had
taught informally to enthusiastic students began teaching in
a few top schools in Lagos such as King's College, Lagos
and CMS Grammar School. His themes dealt primarily
with the science of perspective, drawing and human
proportions and watercolor painting.
Onabolu also encouraged the adoption of European
teachers in art instruction in the country. His effort
led to the hiring of a foreign art teacher in the name
of Kenneth Murray. Murray led a gradual re-
awakening of traditional handicraft and arts, the
new approach of promoting indigenous African arts
and staying within the native repository of
knowledge in traditional African arts was
introduced into the curriculum of various
secondary schools in the country. The efforts of the
new instructor yielded early dividends, as the
number of Nigerian art instructors increased and
knowledge of traditional works such as the Uli body
and wall became more pronounced.
Some of Onabolu's major art works
Works 1.
were pictorial art and portraits of
Mrs. Spencer Savage, Chief.
Shapara and Rev. Oluwole.
2. The major figures in his work were
Lagos elites who were successful
professionals in their field of work;
while his work usually depicted a
countenance of respect, achievement
and status of his clients.
3. In the 1930s, he worked with the
Church of Christ in designing the
pews of a new cathedral to be built
in Lagos. He later produced pastel
compositions and studies in the
1940s.
4. Painting of Adam and Eve.
