16 Jun Happy Father’s Day

Artists, like everyone else, often venerate their mothers more than their fathers. However, there are still notable instances of father appreciation. Two artworks by Bruce Onobrakpeya come to mind.

In the artwork “Obi Omonedo,” Onobrakpeya pays tribute to his father, Omonedo Onobrakpeya. During his lifetime, Omonedo Onobrakpeya was a palm farmer in Ekerevbu Town, just outside Benin City. Ekerevbu was divided by a river and had a thriving palm trade that included both Bini and non-Bini residents. This artwork is a homage to his father’s hard work, industry, and integrity—qualities Onobrakpeya learned from him.

Another artwork, “Ekerevbu,” memorializes the town where his father worked for many years. It presents vignettes of the town’s many aspects that Onobrakpeya remembers: the palm farmers, the dancers, the river, and the festivals.

Both artworks express an artist’s gratitude to a father who led him down a path of art, industry, and integrity.

Happy Father’s Day.

Happy Father’s Day Hourglass Gallery