Ovia Idah

Chief Ovia Idah (1903–1968) was a Nigerian sculptor, painter, carpenter, designer, and educator.[2][3][1] He worked in many mediums including in ebony wood, ivory, plastic, as well as terracotta and cement.[4] Idah's was active in Lagos in Lagos State, and Benin City in Edo State,[5] but showed his work internationally. He is also known by the names Igbolovia Ida and Ovidah Ida.[2]

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[1]

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[6] serving as a page under Oba Eweka II of Benin.

Idah was employment as a carpenter with the Public Works Department in Lagos from 1923 until 1947.[4] He also taught at King's College in Lagos.[4][7] Oba Akenzua II persuaded Idah to led the Benin Carvers Cooperative in Benin City in 1947.[4]

Idah's sculptures broke from local carving traditions and had their own unique style.[8] 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.[9][1]

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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