
Helene Love-Allotey
Head of Department
Sold for £87,750 inc. premium
Our African Modern & Contemporary Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistHead of Department
Provenance
Acquired from the artist circa 1983;
Thence by direct descent to the current owner.
Exhibited
Lagos, 23 May - 6 June 1974, cat. no.27.
In his Africa Dances series, Enwonwu focuses mostly on movement and rhythm. In the artist's words from an interview early in his career (1950):
"The accent here is, of course, on rhythm. It is not portrayed as the movement of the hands and legs. I do not see exactly like that when a girl is dancing but as a painting, it is permissible to accentuate rhythm."
This particular painting represents 'Obitun' (meaning new woman), which celebrates a girl's transition into womanhood. It is particular to Ondo State, in south-western Nigeria. This dance ceremony is supposed to be performed for every maiden in the town before she gets married.