Janefrances Chibuzor
The Nigerian visual arts community has been plunged into mourning following the passing of one of the country’s most distinguished artists, Abraham Uyovbisere. The renowned painter passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Lagos.
In a statement issued by the Director General of the National Gallery of Art, Ahmed Bashir Sodangi, Uyovbisere was described as a quintessential artist whose immense contributions have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s art landscape.
Born on July 18, 1963, in Burutu, Delta State, Uyovbisere earned a diploma in Fine Arts in 1984 and a Bachelor of Arts degree (First Class Honors) in 1987 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He later obtained a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting from the University of Benin.
Throughout his career, Uyovbisere was celebrated for his exceptional talent, winning numerous awards, including the Yusuf Grillo Award in Life Drawing and the T.A. Fasuyi Award for Painting, both in 1987. In 2006, he was honored with a Distinguished Artist Award by the Delta State Government, and in 2008, he received the Most Dedicated Program Director Award from the Ovie Brume Foundation.
“Abraham Uyovbisere was an artist of epic proportions, capturing feminine elegance, romance, and cultural essence through his works,” said Ahmed Bashir Sodangi. “His contributions to Nigerian art were monumental, and his passing has created a huge vacuum in the visual art sub-sector.”
Uyovbisere hosted several solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions both locally and internationally. His works are part of prestigious collections, including the Nigerian National Collection, the Presidency, and institutions in Europe and America.
The National Gallery of Art joins the visual arts community and the nation at large in mourning the loss of this phenomenal artist.
