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Ovia Idah

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Nigerian sculptor (1903–1968)
Ovia Idah
Born1903
Oria, Delta State, Southern Nigeria Protectorate (now Nigeria)
Died1968
Nigeria
Other namesOvidah Ida,
Igbolovia Ida
Occupation(s)Sculptor, painter, carpenter, designer, educator
MovementModernism

Chief Ovia Idah (1903–1968) was a Nigerian sculptor, painter, carpenter, designer, and educator. He worked in many mediums including in ebony wood, ivory, plastic, as well as terracotta and cement. Idah's was active in Lagos in Lagos State, and Benin City in Edo State, but showed his work internationally. He is also known by the names Igbolovia Ida and Ovidah Ida.

Biography

He was raised in a royal palace as a court official (or omada) from age 7 until age 15, where he learned carving skills serving as a page under Oba Eweka II of Benin.

Idah was employed as a carpenter with the Public Works Department in Lagos from 1923 until 1947. He also taught at King's College in Lagos. Oba Akenzua II persuaded Idah to lead the Benin Carvers Cooperative in Benin City in 1947.

Idah's sculptures broke from local carving traditions and had their own unique style. He was included as part of the book, "New Currents, Ancient Rivers: Contemporary African Artists in a Generation of Change" (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992), one of the largest surveys of contemporary African art at the time.

See also

References

  1. ^ Kennedy, Jean (1992-07-17). New Currents, Ancient Rivers: Contemporary African Artists in a Generation of Change. Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-56098-037-7.
  2. ^ "Idah, Ovia". Grove Art Online. doi:10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t096585. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  3. Cashman, Ray; Mould, Tom; Shukla, Pravina (2011-09-21). The Individual and Tradition: Folkloristic Perspectives. Indiana University Press. pp. 93–110. ISBN 978-0-253-22373-9.
  4. ^ Nevadomsky, Joseph (1997). "Contemporary Art and Artists in Benin City". African Arts. 30 (4): 54. doi:10.2307/3337554. JSTOR 3337554.
  5. Peek, Philip M. (1985). "Ovia Idah and Eture Egbede: Traditional Nigerian Artists". African Arts. 18 (2): 54–102. doi:10.2307/3336190. ISSN 0001-9933. JSTOR 3336190.
  6. Gore, Charles (2019-07-30). Art, Performance and Ritual in Benin City. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-1-4744-6858-9.
  7. Beier, Ulli (1968). Contemporary Art in Africa. F. A. Praeger. pp. 20–23.
  8. Simon, Ottenberg (1997-10-17). New Traditions From Nigeria. Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-56098-800-7.
  9. jẹgẹdẹ, dele (1996). "Review of New Currents, Ancient Rivers: Contemporary African Artists in a Generation of Change". African Arts. 29 (1): 21–98. doi:10.2307/3337443. ISSN 0001-9933. JSTOR 3337443.


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