Emeranvwe Phru Go-o (42/45) [Hail New Moon]

Born 30th of August, 1932 in Agbarha-Otor, Delta state, Bruce Onobrakpeya is Nigeria’s foremost graphic illustrator, painter, printmaker and sculptor. He studied fine art at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science & Technology (NCAST), now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a Diploma in Fine Arts, in 1961, specializing in painting and history of art. He was a pioneer member of the Zaria Art Society alongside other likeminded students including Uche Okeke, Yusuf Grillo, Demas Nwoko, Simon Okeke among others. As a renowned African art educator, he has travelled and taught in various institutions at home and abroad; has published scholarly works; and has participated in numerous exhibitions. Onobrakpeya was also a pioneer member of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA). His foundation, the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation seeks to encourage the growth of art and culture by giving opportunities to artists to develop their skills and maximize their potentials while at the same time raising awareness of African art and its benefits to society. The foundation organizes a Harmattan Workshop annually in his hometown in Delta state for young students to learn and develop their creativity and skills in the use of different artistic media. He is a recipient of Nigerian National Order of Merit Award for Humanities, Arts and Culture. In 2018, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) for his contribution to the growth of art in the country and his service to the nation.

Emeranvwe Phru Go-o portrays a traditional new moon celebration by the Urhobo people of the southern region of Nigeria. The piece is a 42nd in a series of 45 replicas created by Onobrakpeya to explore this indigenous tradition of his people.