Nigerian Modernism: Art and Independence

Deeply researched, attentively detailed and endlessly interesting, Nigerian Modernism will introduce many of its readers to the work of Nigeria’s mid-20th-century artists for the first time. And what a diverting, inspiring and just plain visually wonderful introduction it is. From exploring the paintings and sculptures of renowned modernist master Ben Enwonwu – his portraits, landscapes and imagery encompassing African cultural traditions are breathtakingly gorgeous – to presenting the work fostered by two key centres of modernist art-making in Nigeria (the Zaria Art Society and the Mbari Artists and Writers Club) this book is a comprehensive introduction to an artistic time and place that resonates beautifully down the years.