Bruce Onobrakpeya
Date: born 1932, Nigeria
Biography: Bruce Onobrakpeya was born August 30, 1932 in Agbarha-Otor near Ughelli,
Delta State, Nigeria, and is of Urhobo descent. He received a diploma in fine arts in 1961
and arts education in 1962 from the Nigerian College of Technology (now Amadu Bello University)
in Zaria. Throughout the 1960s he participated in numerous artist workshops including the Mbari
Artists' and Writers' Club printmaking workshops at Ibadan, and a workshop directed by Jacob
Lawrence in Lagos. During this time he apprenticed with sculptor Ben Enwonwu, and became a
founding member (1964) of the Society of Nigerian Artists. In 1990 he participated in the 44th
Venice Biennale. He has traveled extensively, teaching workshops and exhibiting in the United States,
Italy, Zimbabwe, Britain, Kenya, and Germany. His creative work continues and he also runs an
artists' space in his hometown to encourage creative interaction among artists and scholars.