Ogulugu

The huge influence of the Onitsha-Igbo culture and heritage is very evident in Ben Enwonwu’s art. Using paintings of indigenous traditional dancers, ceremonial masquerades and ritualistic performances in shrines, he not only identified with his roots, but also celebrated and showcased the rich, beautiful culture and heritage of the Igbo people to everyone. Enwonwu followed up his Africa Dances series, which he started during his time in London in the 1940s, with the Masquerade series which comprised of paintings of various indigenous masquerades of his homeland, Onitsha. Ogulugu (Dance of Onitsha) shows a central traditional male dancer dressed in the local costume, dancing intently to the rhythm of the drums and music played in the background. Enwonwu had first-hand experience of these masquerades and dancers, having spent his childhood in Onitsha. He was captivated by the supra-natural energy of their performances and the trace-induced movements of the dancers. He devoted his artistic career to portraying and capturing these movements on canvas.