Odinigwe native Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu MBE (14 July 1917 – 5 February 1994), better known as Ben Enwonwu, was born as a twin into the noble Umueze-Aroli family in Onitsha, Nigeria on July 14, 1917. His father, Omenka Odigwe Emeka Enwonwu, was a technician who worked for the Royal Niger Company. He was also a member of the Onitsha Chief Council and a renowned traditional sculptor who created clerical staffs, stools, decorative doors and religious paintings. His mother, Obajelugo Iyom Nweze, was a successful textile merchant. was a Nigerian painter and sculptor.
Ben is undoubtedly the most influential African artist of the 20th century. His pioneering career paved the way for the postcolonial dissemination and greater visibility of contemporary African art. He was one of the first African artists to receive critical acclaim. He exhibited his works in exhibition spaces in Europe and the United States in August and had them included in international contemporary art catalogs. Since 1950, Enwonwu has been recognized by the international media as “Africa’s greatest artist” and his fame has been used to rally support for the black nationalist movement around the world. The Enwonwu Crater on the planet Mercury was named in his honor.
Let’s continuously remember our country legend “Ben Enwonwu”