Saturday 1 December 2012

In New York, Onobrakpeya closes Jewels of Nomadic Images'

HAVING missed the opening of his solo art exhibition titled Jewels of Nomadic Images organised as part of activities marking his 80th birthday abroad, Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya will be present at the closing today.


Onobrakpeya could not travel for the opening as he was denied U.S. visa last October.

According to a source, “the visa was later given, but it was too late to meet the opening of the exhibition.”


The show, which opened on October 18, 2012, at Skoto Gallery, New York, according to the organizers featured a portfolio of 20 recent serigraphs, paintings, mixed media and installation.

From his Artist Statement, Onobrakpeya Says: “I take advantage of the dynamics of printmaking and experimentation to manipulate the same motif or idea to produce different design effects. Tiny line engravings have been developed and transformed into low relief sculptures called plastocasts, in some cases enlarged into bigger reliefs or paintings. In reverse, pieces which were finished as large pictures or prints have been re-examined in miniature gravures. These process of transformation, or if you like migration of a design from one artistic medium, size or combination to another is what I describe as nomadic. This also includes recycling of discarded objects for a new lease of life.

“I am always fascinated by objects arranged as parts of traditional shrines, fabrics, jeweleries or amulets. They combine to create aesthetic charm, magic or manna. I incorporate them and similar objects into my artworks in the hope of liberating them from the stigma of the fetish to which they have been long subjected.”

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