ONOBRAKPEYA & THE HARMATTAN WORKSHOP 78 Ezekiel Udubrae (detail) AGBARHA OTOR LANDSCAPE 2007 oil on canvas 122 x 141cm 78 Ezekiel Udubrae (detail) AGBARHA OTOR LANDSCAPE 2007 oil on canvas 122 x 141cm ONOBRAKPEYA & THE HARMATTAN WORKSHOP 1 Bruce Onobrakpeya OBARO ISHOSHI ROVUE ESIRI (THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH OF GOOD NEWS) plastocast 125 x 93 cm 3 ONOBRAKPEYA & THE HARMATTAN WORKSHOP 1 Bruce Onobrakpeya OBARO ISHOSHI ROVUE ESIRI (THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH OF GOOD NEWS) plastocast 125 x 93 cm 3 ONOBRAKPEYA & THE HARMATTAN WORKSHOP CURATED BY SANDRA MBANEFO OBIAGO at the LAGOS COURT OF ARBITRATION SEPT. 16 - DEC 16, 2016 240 Aderinsoye Aladegbongbe (detail) SHOWERS OF BLESSING 2009 acrylic on canvas 60.5 x 100cm 5 ONOBRAKPEYA & THE HARMATTAN WORKSHOP CURATED BY SANDRA MBANEFO OBIAGO at the LAGOS COURT OF ARBITRATION SEPT. 16 - DEC 16, 2016 240 Aderinsoye Aladegbongbe (detail) SHOWERS OF BLESSING 2009 acrylic on canvas 60.5 x 100cm 5 We wish to acknowledge the generous support of: Lead Sponsor Sponsors and Partners Contents Welcome by Yemi Candide Johnson 9 Foreword by Andrew Skipper 11 Preface by Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya 13 Curatorial Foreword by Sandra Mbanefo Obiago 19 Bruce Onobrakpeya: Human Treasure 25 The Long Road to Agbarah-Otor 33 Credits Celebration by Sam Ovraiti 97 Editorial & Artistic Direction: Sandra Mbanefo Obiago Photography, Layout & Design: Adeyinka Akingbade Our Culture, Our Wealth 99 Exhibition Assistant Manager: Nneoma Ilogu Art at the Heart of Giving by Prof. Peju Layiwola 121 Harmattan Workshop Editorial: Bruce Onobrakpeya, Sam Ovraiti, Moses Unokwah Friendships & Connectivity 133 BOF Exhibition Team: Udeme Nyong, Bode Olaniran, Pius Emorhopkor, Ojo Olaniyi, Oluwole Orowole, Dele Oluseye, Azeez Alawode, Patrick Akpojotor, Monsuru Alashe, A Master & His Workshops by Tam Fiofori 149 Rasaki Adeniyi, Ikechukwu Ajibo and Daniel Ajibade. Self Discovery & Experimentation 161 Exhibition Interns: Moni Oloke, Joval Anthony, Imuede Adulphina, Afolabi Oluwatobi, Tomisin Fabeku Tour Guide Training: Jude Anogwih Appendix: Exhibition Talks Curator: Jess Castellote Artist List 201 © SMO Contemporary Art 2016 Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya’s Bio 211 All rights reserved. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. Front cover image: Back cover image: 9 216 Bruce Onobrakpeya Orowole Oluwole GALA DAY UNDER THE RIVER IB REFRESHMENT 1998 - 2011 2014 acrylic on triptilinen canvas mixed media 191.5 x 142 cm 57 x 88 cm 6 7 We wish to acknowledge the generous support of: Lead Sponsor Sponsors and Partners Contents Welcome by Yemi Candide Johnson 9 Foreword by Andrew Skipper 11 Preface by Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya 13 Curatorial Foreword by Sandra Mbanefo Obiago 19 Bruce Onobrakpeya: Human Treasure 25 The Long Road to Agbarah-Otor 33 Credits Celebration by Sam Ovraiti 97 Editorial & Artistic Direction: Sandra Mbanefo Obiago Photography, Layout & Design: Adeyinka Akingbade Our Culture, Our Wealth 99 Exhibition Assistant Manager: Nneoma Ilogu Art at the Heart of Giving by Prof. Peju Layiwola 121 Harmattan Workshop Editorial: Bruce Onobrakpeya, Sam Ovraiti, Moses Unokwah Friendships & Connectivity 133 BOF Exhibition Team: Udeme Nyong, Bode Olaniran, Pius Emorhopkor, Ojo Olaniyi, Oluwole Orowole, Dele Oluseye, Azeez Alawode, Patrick Akpojotor, Monsuru Alashe, A Master & His Workshops by Tam Fiofori 149 Rasaki Adeniyi, Ikechukwu Ajibo and Daniel Ajibade. Self Discovery & Experimentation 161 Exhibition Interns: Moni Oloke, Joval Anthony, Imuede Adulphina, Afolabi Oluwatobi, Tomisin Fabeku Tour Guide Training: Jude Anogwih Appendix: Exhibition Talks Curator: Jess Castellote Artist List 201 © SMO Contemporary Art 2016 Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya’s Bio 211 All rights reserved. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. Front cover image: Back cover image: 9 216 Bruce Onobrakpeya Orowole Oluwole GALA DAY UNDER THE RIVER IB REFRESHMENT 1998 - 2011 2014 acrylic on triptilinen canvas mixed media 191.5 x 142 cm 57 x 88 cm 6 7 Welcome As president of the Lagos Court of Arbitration it is my privilege and pleasure to be the principal host of the Harmattan Workshop Series founded by the iconic Nigerian artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya at the International Centre for Arbitration and ADR (“ICAA”) between September and December, 2016. The LCA is a non-profit, private-sector-driven institution which has become the premier ADR institution and a centre for legal excellence in Africa. Our primary mission is to provide the efficient and effective dispute resolution which are necessary for economic growth and development. Consistently with this, our magnificent ICAA has become home to intellectual, educational and cultural activity of the highest quality. This pioneering workshop with a genuine grand master of art embraces the vitally important medium of the visual arts which preserves human history, culture and identity while speaking to this and future generations about the growth and success of society. This forum for creativity as well as cultural and historical appreciation is very important for Nigeria especially, and is an event for which I have very deep appreciation. To this end and with great pride the LCA has opened its ICAA in this Harmattan Workshop Series to art connoisseurs, enthusiasts and the ordinary public in general to project the importance of visual art in Nigeria and to highlight the intellectual contribution of Nigeria to the world. On behalf of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, I am delighted to welcome you to share this magnificent event with the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation and ourselves. Yemi Candide-Johnson ESQ, SAN President Lagos Court of Arbitration 8 9 Welcome As president of the Lagos Court of Arbitration it is my privilege and pleasure to be the principal host of the Harmattan Workshop Series founded by the iconic Nigerian artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya at the International Centre for Arbitration and ADR (“ICAA”) between September and December, 2016. The LCA is a non-profit, private-sector-driven institution which has become the premier ADR institution and a centre for legal excellence in Africa. Our primary mission is to provide the efficient and effective dispute resolution which are necessary for economic growth and development. Consistently with this, our magnificent ICAA has become home to intellectual, educational and cultural activity of the highest quality. This pioneering workshop with a genuine grand master of art embraces the vitally important medium of the visual arts which preserves human history, culture and identity while speaking to this and future generations about the growth and success of society. This forum for creativity as well as cultural and historical appreciation is very important for Nigeria especially, and is an event for which I have very deep appreciation. To this end and with great pride the LCA has opened its ICAA in this Harmattan Workshop Series to art connoisseurs, enthusiasts and the ordinary public in general to project the importance of visual art in Nigeria and to highlight the intellectual contribution of Nigeria to the world. On behalf of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, I am delighted to welcome you to share this magnificent event with the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation and ourselves. Yemi Candide-Johnson ESQ, SAN President Lagos Court of Arbitration 8 9 Foreword Hogan Lovells are delighted to be sponsoring this most exciting exhibition celebrating the work of renowned artist, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya spanning over 50 years, and the many gifted and inspirational artists that have contributed to the Harmattan Workshop. It has been a privilege to work with such a dynamic team in producing this exhibition. In particular, we would like to say a special thank you to Sandra Mbanefo Obiago of SMO Contemporary Art Company for taking us on a journey of discovery through her masterful curating, and the Lagos Court of Arbitration for their support and premises. We would also like to pay tribute to the artist himself, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, for his inspiring contribution to the world of African art and for bringing that to the world stage. On a personal note, as a member of the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art and as the head of Africa at Hogan Lovells, I am delighted to be a part of this exhibition in Lagos. We are very proud of our support for this exhibition and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Andrew Skipper Partner and Head of Africa Hogan Lovells International LLP 158 Andrew Onobrakpeya (detail) LOVERS steatite 2015 18 x 44 x 24cm 11 Foreword Hogan Lovells are delighted to be sponsoring this most exciting exhibition celebrating the work of renowned artist, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya spanning over 50 years, and the many gifted and inspirational artists that have contributed to the Harmattan Workshop. It has been a privilege to work with such a dynamic team in producing this exhibition. In particular, we would like to say a special thank you to Sandra Mbanefo Obiago of SMO Contemporary Art Company for taking us on a journey of discovery through her masterful curating, and the Lagos Court of Arbitration for their support and premises. We would also like to pay tribute to the artist himself, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, for his inspiring contribution to the world of African art and for bringing that to the world stage. On a personal note,