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2023chastete.bsky.social
Africa Dances
(Negritude)1981
by Ben Enwonwu
September 27, 2026 at 12:44 PM
trahias.bsky.social
Ben Enwonwu (Nigerian, 1917–1994)
"Africa Dances (Negritude)", 1981.
Watercolour and Gouache, 75 × 55 cm.
Private Collection.
#art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt
September 27, 2026 at 8:37 AM
mdstamper.bsky.social
Christine (Davis) by Ben Enwonwu (Nigerian) - Oil on canvas / 1971 #womeninart #portraitofawoman #art #NigerianArt #oilpainting #artwork #womensart #NigerianArtist #BenEnwonwu #beauty #fineart #portrait #gele #oiloncanvas #AfricanArt #AfricanArtist #painting #Enwonwu #bskyart #artoftheday #artbsky
Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, and with it the country was in search of a new post-colonial identity. Ben Enwonwu became an advocate for a new Nigerian national culture and a pioneer of African modernism. By his passing in 1994, the artist was considered one of the most revered African artists of the 20th century. Enwonwu was born in 1917 in Onitsha, eastern Nigeria, to a mother who ran a textile business and a father who was a reputable sculptor, from whom the artist learned his early carving skills. By 1949, Enwonwu was declared by Time magazine as “Africa’s Greatest Artist.” Christine sits up tall and elegant with subtle emotion conveyed through her gentle smile and a sense of ease in her eyes. Her mesmeric frontal gaze, along with her torso positioned in an outward and angular manner is regal and dignified. The light takes on a luminescent character, forming a halo and giving an iridescent and angelic glow. Enwonwu’s loose brush strokes and vibrant oil captures Christine transient beauty. The portrayal of her long-neck, glowing bronze skin, curved lips and delicate smile are testament of the warmth and grace of the sitter. Her devotion and composure are conveyed in the portrait and is a testament of the trust and complicity between the artist and Christine. Christine was born in New York and moved to Ghana to reside with her stepfather in the 1920s before relocating to Lagos, Nigeria in 1969. In Lagos, Christine and her husband Elvis developed a close friendship with Enwonwu. She is depicted wearing a beautifully tied yellow gold headscarf called ‘gele’, which signifies her married status. Although Christine was not born in Lagos or Nigeria, her attire shows an affinity with the region and a deep respect for West African tradition.
March 15, 2025 at 3:20 AM
mdstamper.bsky.social
“Fulani Girl of Rupp” by Ben Enwonwu (Nigerian) - Oil on canvas / 1949 - Hampton University Museum (Virginia) #WomenInArt #art #artwork #NigerianArt #BenEnwonwu #Enwonwu #HamptonUniversityMuseum #HamptonUniversity #PortraitofaGirl #NigerianArtist #oilpainting #Fulani #fula #beauty #BlueskyArt
Ben Enwonwu, also known as Odinigwe Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu, was a prominent Nigerian artist of Igbo descent who created multiple works featuring Fulani subjects, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s such as "Fulani Girl of Rupp.” Enwonwu's art often explored themes of African identity and modernism, with his Fulani works reflecting his interest in diverse ethnic groups within Nigeria as part of his broader exploration of African identity and his desire to create a modern visual language rooted in African aesthetics. His work often incorporated elements of traditional African art while embracing modernist artistic styles. The painting is a profile portrait of an unidentified dark-skinned young woman, rendered in a style that combines elements of realism and expressionism. She is shown from the chest up, in profile view, facing to our right. She wears a dark, close-fitting headwrap. Large, golden hoop earrings adorn her ears, and a striking silver ornament is visible near her right ear. Her neck is laden with numerous necklaces of varying lengths and colors composed of beads and strands in shades of purple, orange, yellow, and white, creating a rich tapestry of color against her dark skin. Some necklaces have noticeable tassels or fringes. Beneath the necklaces, a light-colored, almost white wrap is visible across her chest. The dark and muted background uses predominantly dark greens, browns, and oranges, creating a subtle sense of depth and contrast to emphasize the woman and her adornments. Enwonwu’s use of rich colors, expressive brushstrokes, and the woman's expression creates a sense of both beauty and mystery. The painting captures not just a physical likeness, but also conveys the inner strength and cultural identity of the young African woman. Enwonwu was among the first artists from the African continent to gain global visibility. In the same year (1949) as this portrait, Ebony Magazine called him “Africa’s greatest artist”.
July 24, 2025 at 7:30 AM
meritadocta.bsky.social
Ben Enwonwu (Nigerian, 1917-1994), Forest, Idemili. Oil on canvas.
January 13, 2025 at 9:33 AM
gr8flbluejay.bsky.social
Ben Enwonwu, Nigerian (1917-1994), Ogolo, 1989, watercolor on paper, 74 x 63 cm, private collection
April 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
caldeiragiselle.bsky.social
Ben Enwonwu
February 26, 2024 at 9:02 PM
2023chastete.bsky.social
Africa Dances (1981)
by Ben Enwonwu
September 28, 2025 at 9:25 AM
abstractica.bsky.social
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African Dances — Ben Enwonwu, 1991, oil on canvas
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October 31, 2025 at 12:54 AM
gr8flbluejay.bsky.social
Ben Enwonwu, Nigerian (1917-1994), The Dancer (Agbogho Mmuo — Maiden Spirit Mask), 1962, oil on canvas, 93 x 62 cm, on extended loan from a private collection to Ben Uri Gallery and Museum, London, England
December 27, 2025 at 1:55 PM
valent6228.bsky.social
Olokun Dancers (1974) - Ben Enwonwu
December 16, 2023 at 12:57 PM
dlalonders.bsky.social
some pictures from the nigerian national museum
“The future of African art depends upon the success of collecting and restoring ancient works.” - George Padmore, 1948 art from the nigerian national museum “We were all so conscious of the struggle against colonialism and of thing else. We just wanted t colonial empire to end in Africa if we painted any picture, it was about this freedom.” - Ben Enwonwu statue of Queen Ida
April 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
celestirius.bsky.social
Day 4 is up! We will be focusing on Ben Enwonwu! #BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMonth #Blackartist
February 4, 2025 at 10:40 PM
birdsinmuseums.com
Crucified Gods Galore (1967-8)
Ben Enwonwu
Tate Modern, London, United Kingdom
Crucified Gods Galore (1967-8) Ben Enwonwu Tate Modern, London, United Kingdom
December 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
bukifatona.bsky.social
Nigerian Modernism exhibition soon opening at Tate Modern 🙌🏾
Tate webpage of the exhibition featuring a painting, 'Black Culture' (1986) by Benedict Enwonwu. The painting is a surrealist-esque, S-shaped silhouette of a woman's torso against an ochre background.
September 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
laurajg.bsky.social
By Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu (1917-1994), “Man and Masks – A Mirage,” 1982, oil on canvas, 90.5 x 64.2cm (35⅝ x 25¼ inches), photo: Sotheby’s London, March 2023. Portrait of Lagos businessman and conservationist Chief Shafi Lawal Edu (1911–2002.) #art #painting #oilpainting #africanart
From the catalogue note: “Permeated with rich tones of yellow, orange and red, a particularly unique palette for Ben Enwonwu, the present lot displays Enwonwu’s maturity as a colourist, as well as his mastery of form and composition Enwonwu takes this masterwork beyond the realm of portraiture with the introduction of three mask motifs to the left of the composition.“
August 16, 2026 at 9:10 PM
brianhandy.bsky.social
Each day I will post a picture and link to art coming up to auction somewhere in the world.

#painting
Ben Enwonwu, "Africa Dances, 1991"
auroraathena.com/catalogs/jul...
July 21, 2025 at 11:45 AM
melitat.bsky.social
Beautiful piece - Fulani Girl - by Ben Enwonwu at the magnificent Nigerian Modernism exhibition at the Tate Modern.
March 27, 2026 at 10:26 AM
thegamut.bsky.social
~ Ben Enwonwu
December 9, 2024 at 4:32 PM
apollo-magazine.com
The painter and sculptor Ben Enwonwu is the undoubted star of the landmark ‘Nigerian Modern’ exhibition, now open at Tate Modern. Samuel Reilly looks at how the twists and turns in his career mirror those of his country as it left British colonialism behind apollo-magazine.com/nigerian-mod...
The making of modern Nigeria
The twists and turns in the career of Ben Enwonwu mirror those of his native country as it left British colonialism behind, writes Samuel Reilly
apollo-magazine.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:42 AM
apollo-magazine.com
With a landmark exhibition devoted to ‘Nigerian Modernism’ now at Tate Modern, Samuel Reilly considers the career of the painter and sculptor Ben Enwonwu, whose art makes up a fifth of the show
The making of modern Nigeria
The twists and turns in the career of Ben Enwonwu mirror those of his native country as it left British colonialism behind, writes Samuel Reilly
buff.ly
January 4, 2026 at 11:30 PM
andrewahala.bsky.social
Nigerian Modernism at the Tate

Such sensitive portraits by Ben Enwonwu

The potter is Ladi Kwali
November 29, 2025 at 10:23 PM
afropean.bsky.social
"It is generally acknowledged that the most esteemed and significant African artist in the second half of the 20th century was the modernist, Ben Enwonwu. "

afropean.com/portrayals-o...
June 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
mdstamper.bsky.social
Ebony by Oliver Enwonwu (Nigerian) - Oil on canvas / 2020 - SMO Contemporary Art (Lagos, Nigeria) #womeninart #art #oilpainting #portraitofawoman #OliverEnwonwu #NigerianArtist #artwork #SMOcontemporaryart #fineart #womensart #AfricanArt #NigerianArt #portrait #beauty #ebony #ContemporaryArt #style
Nigerian artist Oliver Enwonwu's beautiful oil on canvas depiction of a dark-skinned woman in profile blends realism with a touch of romanticism for a stunning and memorable portrait. Her gaze is directed to the left of the frame, conveying both sophistication and introspection. Against a muted and blurred background that almost glows behind her like a spotlight, her exposed shoulders and beauty convey a sense of intimacy and vulnerability while keeping our focus entirely on the subject. Enwonwu has carefully detailed the woman's alluring features. Her face is elegantly shaped, and her expression is serene and composed; almost stoic. Her skin is rich and dark, with subtle gradations of light and shadow highlighting her cheekbones and the planes of her face. The artist's close attention to the subtle shadows and highlights in her skin, make it appear soft and smooth yet rich in tone. She wears a luxuriously colored, ochre-gold headwrap (a gele) which is draped dramatically around her head depicted with deep, visible folds and shadows, giving a sense of texture. She also wears a splendid darker gold-toned fabric draped around her shoulders, and a delicate gold necklace with a small pendant. The necklace, and her small earrings, draw the eye to her neck and décolletage. With a Master’s degree in Visual Arts from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, Enwonwu is earning his PHD in African Art History at University of Benin. He comes from a long line of remarkable artists, including his sculptor grandfather and his father pioneer modernist Ben Enwonwu, In his work, Oliver elevates Black culture to challenge racial injustice and systemic racism by celebrating the cultural, political and socioeconomic achievements of Africans through an examination of African spirituality, Black identity and migration, contemporary African politics, Pan-Africanism, and the global Africa empowerment movement.
March 1, 2025 at 1:32 AM