Lot 12: Erhabor Emokpae (Nigerian, 1934-1984) 'Fertility'

'Fertility'
signed and dated 'Emokpae 65' (lower left)
oil on board
45.5 x 121.5cm (17 15/16 x 47 13/16in).

PROVENANCE:
Purchased from the artist by the current owner, circa 1967

Son of a Bini chief, Erhabor Emokpae was never formally trained like his contemporaries at the Zaria Arts Society. His first influences came from the Benin guild of carvers, which he found around him during his childhood. After finishing school, he moved to Lagos in 1951 where he attended the Yaba Trade Center and studied privately with a graphic artist working for Kingsway department store. His career developed substantially following his transfer to Enugu in 1954, and at Independence six years later he was established as a serious member of the emergent modern Nigerian art scene. He has had several solo exhibitions in Nigeria, Germany and Brazil. His strength of design clearly reflects his earlier graphic experience and his creativity and originality are typical of his artistic independence, unconnected as he was with any African Art school.