O’DA Art Gallery Presents A Post-Humous Show, ‘Monuments of the Soul’

Yinka Olatunbosun

An exhibition featuring works by the sculptor and visual artist, Robert Ugbine, a leading post war and contemporary sculptor who lived in and worked in Benin. Throughout the duration of his studio practice. Ugbine mastered the art of carving and sculpting using materials such as wood, terracotta, and metal railings.

With identity at the centre of his sculptural work, he was able to explore and demonstrate the possibilities of the human body as a means to demonstrate the nature of our being. Presenting 25 works that span over two decades of Ugbine’s art career, this exhibition which runs from February 26th to March 16 captures the evolution of his intricate wood carvings and sculpting technique from 1998 to our present day.

Born of Nigerian parents in Anponya, Ghana in 1956, he attended Auchi Polytechnic in 1976 where he received an ordinary national diploma and the principal’s prize for the overall best student. He later received a HND in sculpture from Yaba College of Technology in 1979 and became an instructor and lecturer at Auchi Polytechnic, Nigeria an appointment he held between 1980 to 1987 before retiring to a full time studio practice.

Throughout his career, Ugbine designed and executed several carvings using ebony and iroko wood, terracotta, metal raikings and other materials for crafting his sculptures. He has participated in several solo and group shows across Africa and internationally including the The 2013 Aabru Art London Group Show Transcending Boundaries, the 2018 ArtHouse Contemporary Auction Evening and the 2019 Material Times group exhibition at Rele Gallery, Lagos. Ugbine was acquired by the British Museum, UK in 2018.

Ugbine was a member of society of Nigeria (SNA) and the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria GFA.