Abayomi Barber

**Abayomi Adebayo Barber** (23 October 1928 - 26 December 2021) na he be Nigerian contemporary artist wey na he be mentor of de Abayomi Barber Art School insyd Lagos, Nigeria. He be important modern art figure insyd Nigeria but less well known for de Western World insyd. Dem best know am for de application of naturalism den surrealism methods for ein art works insyd. Sam of ein signature works dey include life sized busts of former Nigerian president, Murtala Mohammed den de former Oba of Ile-Ife, Adesoji Aderemi, anoda famous work be de oil painting of Shehu Shagari.

## Ein Life
Dem born Barber for 23 October 1928 insyd Ile-Ife to de family of Samuel Bamidele den Victoria Waleola Barber. He start ein education for St Peter's Anglican School, Iremo, Ife. He pPete ein education for St Stephen's School, Modakeke, Ife insyd 1948. Insyd 1949, he produce carving for wooden box top wey he participate for various art competitions insyd for dat same year. He gain recognition insyd Lagos as he win de Elder Dempster sponsored Lines Silver Cup for de best painting wey dem exhibit for de All Nigeria Festival of de Arts insyd 1952. After de prize, dem commission say make he create portrait of Harold Cooper, de outgoing Ikoyi club president. He get employment insyd Lagos insyd de early 1950s as graphic artist wey he produce book den advertisement illustrations den comic drawings for de Nigerian advertiser wey dey Yaba, insyd Lagos. Insyd 1955, he briefly enrol for sam sculptor program insyd for Yaba College of Technology under de direction of British sculptor Paul Mount. Insyd 1957, ein uncle, Adesoji Aderemi introduce am give Awolowo, wey na ebe de premier of de Western Nigeria region; plus Awolowo ein contacts, he join de Yoruba Historical Research Scheme for sam research project top wey dey trace de origin of de Yoruba people. Ein work as project assistant insyd de research scheme give am de opportunity say make he work plus notable scholars like Saburi Biobaku, William Fagg, Frank Willet den Dr Bradburty. From 1960 go 1962, plus scholarship from de regional government, he study for Central School of Arts den Crafts, insyd London. He go London go study de preservation den restoration of antiquities den say he go work for how he go develop statue of Obafemi Awolowo top. However, sam regional crisis  happen for de region insyd wey dem terminate ein scholarship. As he dey England, he continue say he go develop  ein craft, he study casting den molding for Mancini den Tozer studios, wey dey London, he sana work as assistant for sam art studio wey Edward Delaney dey own am wey he later work for Oscar Nemon ein studio insyd St James studio wey dey London. He work plus Nemon for five sculptures of Winston Churchill top. Na he sana be assistant for de British Museum. He return go Nigeria insyd 1971 wey dem employ am as arts fellow for de School of African den Asian Studies wey dem now know am as de Center for Cultural Studies, University of Lagos. Dem commission say make he paint portrait of de visiting Ethiopian leader, Haile Selassie insyd 1972. As he return go Nigeria, Na Barber no make happy plus what he view as de primitivism den expressionism wey dominate de Nigerian art scene for dat tym insyd. Na he dey believe say authentic creativity for de work of genuine artist dey come only through attention give skill den materials den sincerity of practice. He start sam informal training school insyd 1973, plus Muri Adejimi as ein first student for ein studio insyd wey dey de university.

Barber get ein first solo exhibition insyd 1989, na de title of de exhibition be *Abayomi Barber A Retrospective*. Dem display sam of ein works for de National Gallery of Modern Art wey dey include sculptures of Ali Maigoro den Yemoja.

Barber continue dey produce art. Dem feature am for sam mid-2017 article insyd, wer he discuss ein life work den ein philosophy for life top.

Abayomi Barber die for 26 December 2021 insyd.

## References


## External links

* Article on Barber
* Biography on Barber @Hourglass Gallery site