By JAPHET ALAKAM
The popular adage that “an old woman is never tired in the dance she knows” came to the fore last week when master printmaker, painter, sculptor and one of Africa’s best known and most highly respected artists, Bruce Onabrakpeya opened his latest solo exhibition titled Recent Experimental Prints, Paintings and Low Relief Sculptures.

The widely exhibited artist whose works are highly collected all over the world is saying with the exhibition that age is not a barrier to art practice hence at 81, he is holding another solo five years after his last solo exhibition titled Jewels of Nomad Images at Quintessence Gallery, Falomo Ikoyi, Lagos , but this time at an unconventional place, the Temple Muse, a lifestyle concept store located in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The exhibition which is made up of over 63 works that reflect over five decades of Prof. Onobrakpeya’s outstanding career, opened at Temple Muse, Lagos, from December 2 and closed on December 14..
For the big masquerade, who confessed that he is inspired by an urge to want to see the next step, his coming out at this period is an indication of his love for art and its development, hence he keyed into the new wave of taking art to an unusual place for new audience to enjoy.
A visit to the Temple Muse, one will be welcomed with quality master pieces consisting of metal foil pieces, prints, serigraphs, plastocasts, sculptures and paintings displayed at the floor and first floor of the building. It was indeed a beauty to watch as the master rolls out some of the works that address one issue or the other in his life from the primary, Zaria school, art teacher etc.

In the works showcased, there are serigraphs from his famous Sunshine Period of the 1960s – 1970s, and paintings and etchings that feature images from his Dance to Enchanting Songs series. There are also small pendants the size of mobile phones that reflect images and symbols drawn from his Esirogbo and migratory media techniques.
Other works to displayed include Leopard in the Cornfield, Have you Heard? Totems of the Delta, Ibiokpo, Isorogun, Rape of the Land, Good Governance, amongst others.

Avinash Wadhwani, Director of Temple Muse, said that the design collection shop who had been trying to promote Nigeria creativity, is honoured to host Bruce Onobrabpeya “a living legend.”
“His art typifies what is truly magnificent and unique about Nigerian modern art,” Wadhwani said.
Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago, the exhibition’s Curator who produced the film Red Hot Nigerian Creativity, which featured Onobrakpeya in his studio, described him as the “best of Nigeria.”
“Curating this show has been a true adventure, and every time I go to his studio, I am amazed by increasing numbers of new works which show an artist who is reaching the pinnacle of his career at past 80 years of age,” said Mbanefo-Obiago.