The “Bonhams Africa Now - Modern Africa Sale” in London on Wednesday February 15, 2017 will be led by a monumental statue by the pioneering Nigerian sculptor and painter Ben Enwonwu, born Benedict Chukadibia Enwonwu, estimated at £150,000-200,000.The 6ft 10 high statue titled “Anyanwu” – the Igbo word for “sun” – is considered the artist’s masterpiece. It was conceived in 1954 when the artist was commissioned to create a work marking the establishment of the National Museum in Lagos, outside of which it still stands.Enwonwu describes his vision for Anyanwu as follows: "My aim was to symbolise our rising nation. This sculpture is spiritual in conception, rhythmical in movement and three dimensional in its architectural setting – these qualities are characteristic of the sculptures of my ancestors.”Bonhams Director of African Art, Giles Peppiatt, said, “Ben Enwonwu was the first important Nigerian artist to reflect the sculptural traditions of his people in his work as is clearly and spectacularly evident in Anyanwu. For the artist, the statue was a visual manifestation of the new Nigeria, culturally confident and proud of her heritage.”
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