Billy Omabegho, the legendary artist
No matter the parameter you use in assessing him, Billy Omabegho is an art master per excellence even at 75 years. The living legend stands out with his sculptures that are rooted in African symbols and a dedication to his own cultural and national heritage, which he has applied to his formal training and techniques.
The works represent an impressive new body of aluminum, stainless steel, wood & bronze forms.
“Billy”, as friends and associates fondly call him, is a quintessential renaissance African, combining his deep-rooted Ishekiri origins with a lively and broad based approach to African influences on global art and civilization
Born in 1944, the artist who received formal art training at Cornell University and New York University in the United States of America is the first Nigerian sculptor to design and execute modern large-scale monumental works for strategic public places in Nigeria.
However, Omabegho’s best known Nigerian sculptures were created during Nigeria’s FESTAC years in the 1970’s, when the government’s vibrant commitment to art in public spaces led to important commissions such as his Convergence monument at the Lagos State House on the Marina (1976), the Memorial to Murtala Ramat Mohammed, the former Nigerian Head of State, installed in Benin City (1977), the Manila symbol monument at the Lagos International Trade Fair (1978), and the Communication sculpture at the NET Building Marina (1979).
He has achieved similar feats in abroad and has commissioned a number of major works, especially “Zuma”, which is a symbol of the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations in New York City.
The 30 foot high, “zig zag” formed, welded aluminum and stainless steel Zuma sculpture, is one his most important works, representing the vital forces of nature, which he translated into abstract forms representing birth and renewal. The sculpture was commissioned as an installation for the plaza in front of Nigeria House in Manhattan, New York. Zuma became one of the prized monuments of New York, showcasing Nigerian contemporary art in the heart of the city. In 2005, leading Nigerian artists under the auspices of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) and Communicating for Change, a media advocacy group, mounted campaign against a move to have the Zuma sculpture replaced with a more “African” looking sculpture.
From 2010 to 2011, two of his designs were featured in the Global Africa Project, a major exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York.
His writing and research on the origins of African art, is reflected in the ancient and pure forms of his bronze, aluminum, polished stainless steel and metal sculptures, which are made up of ultra-modern abstract forms, geometric shapes and strong diagonal influences. His new works include the Homage series, in which he presents multilayered metal discs and triangular shapes to show mans’ interconnectedness with the universe. The series also has minimalist triangular shapes in the form of the ancient Ka symbol, revealing the human form in devotional stance with outstretched arms, embracing the very essence of life.
His signature sculpture called An Exploring Mind, beautifully represents Billy’s deep connection with exploring science and nature, and the need for our minds to reach out and seek knowledge. Omabegho is a master at combining highly technological influences and art processes on metal, which represent pure ancient African symbols. His beautifully crafted, simple forms are truly unique representations of contemporary sculpture at its best.
Now 75 years old, Billy is not tired. He has returned to Nigeria from the United States of America where he was commissioned to do large-scale environmental sculptures.
The Nigerian art community celebrated his return.
“After many years abroad, we are honored that Billy Omabegho is returning home on a nostalgic journey to his native Nigeria, to share his vision and exciting new collection with our dynamic & vigorously creative art community”, Ake Bola, one of them said.
But the artist furthered the celebration with an exciting new exhibition of recent modern minimalist sculptures. Of course, the respected visual artist, furniture designer, architect, and contemporary sculptor lived up to the expectations of his folks here with the exhibition of his new works after many years working in his New York studio.
Now home, Billy is a huge resource for the art in Nigeria and Africa, an inspiration, role model and epitome of success in his chosen career. Take note, he has returned home to rest, but not tired.