The history of world art has long neglected the work of modern African artists and their search for forms of modernist expression as either irrelevant to the discourse of modern art or as fundamentally subservient to the established narrative of Western European modernist practice.

With this engaging new volume, Sylvester Ogbechie refutes this approach by examining the life and work of Ben Enwonwu (1917-94), a premier African modernist and pioneer whose career opened the way for the postcolonial proliferation and increased visibility of African art.

In the decades between Enwonwu's birth and death, modernization produced new political structures and new forms of expression in African cultures, inspiring important developments in modern African art. Within this context, Ogbechie evaluates important issues such as the role of Anglo-Nigerian colonial culture in the development of modern Nigerian art, and Enwonwu's involvement with international discourses of modernism in Europe, Africa, and the United States over a period of five decades. 

The author also interrogates Enwonwu's use of the radical politics of Negritude ideology to define modern African art against canonical interpretations of Euro-modernism; and the artist's visual and critical contributions to Pan Africanism, Nigerian nationalism, and postcolonial interpretations of African modernity.

First and foremost an intellectual biography of Ben Enwonwu as a modern African artist, rather than an exhaustive critical exploration of the discourse of modernism in African art history or in modern art in general, Ben Enwonwu situates the artist historically and interprets his work in ways that surpass traditional discourse around the canon of modern art. 

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Book launched in Lagos

 

Ben Enwonwu: the Making of an African Modernist', a new book by art historian Sylvester Ogbechie, was on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, launched in Lagos.

The event, which took place at the Goethe Institut on Victoria Island was organised by the Ben Enwonwu Foundation.

The author Sylvester Ogbechie, is an associate professor of Art History at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA. Philip Asiodu chaired the book launch and the book reviewer was Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo, editor of The Guardian on Sunday.

Also on the high table were Sammy Olabanju, J.K. Randle, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Gbenga Oyebode (chairman of Access bank and a collector of Ben Enwonwu's works). Others were Tayo Akpata and the author Sylvester Ogbechie.

Speaking just before the launch, Ogbechie said the book "took almost two decades to accomplish and eight years straight to finish the work." He added that, "We need to understand that we don't have any good historical storage of Africa art; that is why this book is important, after the book was launched in the States; [Enwonwu's] works got more recognition and one of them sold for 23,000 pounds. This book will make sure that nobody will ask about Ben Enwonwu. 'Who is this artist?'"

The launch began with the introduction of members of the high table by the MC, after which the chairperson of the Ben Enwonwu Foundation, who was represented by Mr. Olabanju, welcomed all who were present.

Mr. Asiodu, gave an opening address recalling his personal experience with the late artist and his thoughts about the great man. Jahman Anikulapo did a brief review of the book. The author was then given the opportunity to further comment on his work. By the end of the proceedings, it was time for the book to be launched.

Other members of the high table got the opportunity to share their views of Enwonwu as an artist, his works or both, as each helped launch the new book. Notable faces at the event included Frank Okonta, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Odia Ofeimun, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Professor Freida High, who was the guest speaker at the last Ben Enwonwu Lecture, and Kolade Oshinowo, former chairman of the Society for Nigerian Artists (SNA).

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Source: 234next.com 

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