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.
"Obevbe Nereghe" illustrates a poem about a Fulbe girl who, confronted by a white tourist who wants to photograph her beauty, accepts money for the favor. Obevbe Nereghe is a Urhobo adage meaning "one's needs turn one into a fool." In the face of hardships and starvation for her and her lover, the young girl foolishly agrees to the request.
Description:
Etching featuring a European male figure photographing a woman wearing native dress and carrying a pot on her head. There is a title and signature along the bottom of the composition: "5/75 Obevebe Nereghe - Deep Etching - Bruce Onobrakpeya, 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
Content Statement:
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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/
