The Late 1950s and early 1960s witnessed in Nigeria art history the beginning of radical revolution in visual art. The periods witnessed a change of art style from ancient traditions as artists jettisoned western style realistic approach to execution of artwork. Here, BEATRICE ISOLA, highlights some interesting pieces from the era.
Title: Self Portrait
Artist: Ben Osawe (1937-2007)
Year: 1967
Medium: Pen on paper
Size: 50 x 37 cm. (19½x 14½ in.)
Market value: N 575,000
Ben Enwonwu
Title: African Dance Ensemble
Artist: Ben Enwonwu (1917-1994)
Year: 1960
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Size: 74 x 52 cm. (29 x 20½ in.)
Current Market Value: N 9, 200, 000
Demas Nwoko
Title: Senegalese Woman
Artist: Demas Nwoko (b. 1935)
Year: 1965
Medium: Gouache on paper
Size: 63½ x 48½ cm. (25 x 19 in.)
Solomon Wangboje
Title: Man, Mask and Myth I
Artist: Solomon Wangboje (1930-1998)
Year: 1964
Medium: Print (Edition 7 of 100)
Size: 27 x 33 cm. (10¾ x 13 in.)
Current market value: ₦ 200,000-275,000
Ben Enwonwu
Artist: Ben Enwonwu (1921-1994)
Title: Head Of Caroline
Medium: Fibre glass
Size: 33 cm. (without base), 49.5 cm. (with base)
Size: 13 in. (without base), 19½ in.(with base)
Current market value: ₦ 7,000,000-10,000,000
Ben Osawe
Title: Untitled
Artist: Ben Osawe (1931-2007)
Year: 1964
Medium: Pastel on paper
Size: 44 x 35 cm. (17¾ x 13¾ in.)
Current Market Value: ₦ 400,000-500,000
Jimoh Buraimoh
Title: FAMILY
Artist: Jimoh Buraimoh (b. 1943)
Year: 1968
Medium: Bead on board
Size: 122 x 61cm. (48 x 24 in.)
Current Market Value: ₦ 800,000-1,000,000
Abayomi Barber
Title: Sketch Of A Lady
Artist: Abayomi Barber (b.1934)
Year: 1963
Medium: Pastel on paper
Size: 42.5 x 30.5 cm. (163/8 x 12 in.)
Current Market Value: ₦ 450,000-600,000
Blue Hawker by Yusuf Grillo
Title: Hawker In Blue
Artist: Yusuf Grillo (b.1934)
Year: 1964
Medium: Oil on board
Size: 58 x 70 cm. (23 x 27 1/2 in.)