Object Details
Maker
Bruce Onobrakpeya, born 1932, Nigeria
Series
5/75
Label Text
This body of work was designed to illustrate "Africa: On Her Schedule Is Written a Change," a book of poems by Barbara Haegar (Ibadan: African Universities Press, 1981). Many of these poems coupled with Onobrakpeya's visual renderings address the complex, tumultuous history of political fortunes and movements in post-independence Africa. They often highlight problems of corruption, despotism and the disabling legacies of colonial domination.
This work tells of the harassment and censorship directed toward Africa's poets, playwrights, musicians and visual artists at the hands of corrupt authorities.
Description
Etching of a grid background with a figure playing a guitar and a very large mask with a lock on its mouth in the foreground. There is a title and signature along the bottom of the composition: "5/75 Poets and Fetters - Deep Etching - Bruce Onobrakpeya, Lagos, Sept, 1980."
Lagos, Sept, 1980."
Provenance
Warren Robbins, Washington, D.C. -- to 1991
Exhibition History
Encounters with the Contemporary, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., January 7, 2001-January 6, 2002
Published References
Haeger, Barbara and Bruce Onobrakpeya. 1981. Africa: On Her Schedule is Written a Change. Ibadan: African Universities Press, p. 44 and cover.
Content Statement
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Credit Line
Gift of Warren M. Robbins
Date
1980
Object number
91-11-8
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© 1980 Bruce Onobrakpeya
Type
Print
Medium
Deep etching on paper
Dimensions
H x W x D (matted): 52.1 × 36.8 cm (20 1/2 × 14 1/2 in.)
H x W x D (folio sheet): 39.4 × 26.7 cm (15 1/2 × 10 1/2 in.)
Other (image): 30.5 × 19.4 cm (12 × 7 5/8 in.)
H x W x D (unfolded sheet): 39 × 52.3 cm (15 3/8 × 20 9/16 in.)
Geography
Nigeria
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
musical instrument
mask
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_91-11-8