| Intro | Nigerian sculptor, graphic artist and painter |
| Was |
Artist Sculptor Graphic artist Painter |
| From |
Nigeria |
| Type |
Arts Creativity |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 9 May 1934, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria |
| Death |
16 February 1984, Lagos, Nigeria (aged 49 years)
|
| Star sign | Taurus |
Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae, OON, (9 May 1934 – 16 February 1984) was a renowned Nigerian sculptor, muralist, graphic artist and painter who is also regarded as one of the pioneers of modern arts in Nigeria. Some of his notable works include the crafting of a replica of the ivory mask of Queen Idia which was used as the official emblem of Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture event and the Queen Amina painting. He is also responsible for the decorations on the four entrances of the National Arts Theatre, in Lagos.
Early life and education
Erhabor Emokpae, a native of Oredo local government area in Edo State, was born on 9 May 1934 to a Bini atheist chief and a Muslim mother in Benin City where he finished his basic education at Government School, Benin before proceeding to Yaba Trade Centre (now Yaba College of Technology. He went on to study art in England in 1963. The background of his upbringing made him dwell on themes of dualism in most of his artworks.
Career
After graduating from Yaba Trade Centre, Erhabor participated in the 1950 “Festival of Arts” exhibition in Lagos before he proceeded to work as a trainee and commercial artist between 1954–1958 at the Ministry of Information, Enugu after he got employed as an artist by the Federal Ministry of Information in 1953.
In 1958, he moved into Lagos and got employed by the West African Publicity (now Lintas West Africa, Lagos) as a creative visual artist. He went on to be promoted as the Senior Creative Advertisement Visual Artist in 1966 and in 1973 he became the Creative Director of the firm. He is regarded as one of the founding members of the Society of Nigerian Artists, an association he went on to hold the post of secretary from 1967–1975. He was also a member of the Lagos Arts Council and held the position of secretary in 1965.
Works and exhibitions
1976 oil painting of Queen Amina by Erhabor Emokpae
During his lifetime, Erhabor initiated and held many exhibitions in several countries including Nigeria, West Germany, London and Brazil. He also took part in joint exhibitions including the “Contemporary African Art”, “Camden Art Centre, London”, the “Contemporary Nigerian Prints and Painting” and the University of Ife’s “4th Ife Festival of the Arts Gallery” in 1971.
In 1973, he produced a replica of the Benin Pendant Mask as the official emblem for the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture in 1977. He was also commissioned to design bronze decorations at the frieze and entrances of the National Arts Theatre in 1974.
Recognition
In recognition for his contributions, he was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger by Shehu Shagari in 1980.