Ben Enwonwu

Recognising the Giant Strides of African Art Icon, Ben Enwonwu. A photograph of Ben Enwonwu (1917-1994) working on a bronze sculpture in his studio. Enwonwu was a pioneer of African modernism and is arguably regarded as the most influential African artist of the 20th century. He was a painter and sculptor. As a pioneer of African modernism, he engaged with the international art world, studying modern European art movements such as Symbolism and Fauvism. Upon his return to Nigeria in 1948, he was appointed Artist Adviser to the Federal Government. In the 1950's, Enwonwu was celebrated as "Africa's Greatest Artist" by the international media. He won numerous accolades including an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1955 and a royal commission for a large bronze statue of the Queen displayed at the entrance of the Parliament Buildings in Lagos.