Beautiful and unique stories of Bruce Onobrakpeya and Allan Edmunds around Printmaking evolution and philanthropy

‘The ART of Printmaking is a lesson in collaboration and planning. The artist provides the concept, the technician guides the creative process and a master printer completes the image’- Mary O’Boyle Franko

The two renowned master artists have similarities between them. Apart from being visual artists, printmakers, teachers and art illustrators, both of them invested in philanthropic gesture of giving back to their environments and communities.

Bruce Onobrakpeya’s abode at 41, Oloje Street, Papa Ajao, Mushin, actually started the movement that metamorphosed into the highly revered Harmattan Workshop in Agbarha Oto in Delta State, Nigeria which African artists have been exploring to improve on their talents and careers. Also, creating the unique networking.

While American born Allan Edmunds decided in 1972 to establish Brandywine Workshop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, the workshop has become over the years, the designed benchmark for Printmaking and visual arts community in America have made it the standard notch for art movement in America.

Allan Edmunds, a graduate of Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, while establishing the workshop in 1972, insists on exploring a certain spirit of evolution to be a guide decisions made by the artists in the course of their work. The essence was to also use the platform to train younger artist with probable fear of taking up a career in Printmaking.

Bruce Onobrakpeya is a member of the revolution known as Zaria Rebels. A rebellion that started by rejecting European opinion of African art in the sixties. Bruce was a student in Zaria and participated as a staunch member of the rebels. He delved into teaching and illustrations very early. An experienced teacher at Saint Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos and was the proponent of Deep Etching techniques and Hydrochloric Acid Accident, Bruce Onobrakpeya is a behemoth in Africa’s art space with his numerous illustrations for African writers and novelists. His Exhibition of Portfolio of Art and Literature will always be fresh every day. A special way of celebrating numerous illustrations done on novels for African writers. A creative briefcase by the legend in 2003. Bruce Onobrakpeya’s art odyssey, really evolved into periods. He has exhibited numerous times globally.

One aspect that’s noticeable for generations and more generations to see is the distinguished legacies being preserved by these two art connoisseurs who have redifined art beyond commercialisation but living a life worth living.

Both giants have been widely celebrated in global art space by being decorated with prestigious medals by their countries governments to world applause. International recognition for Bruce Onobrakpeya and Allan Edmunds still couldn’t stop the two gentlemen from stepping down. rather, they share and give knowledge to humanity. What sheer destinies for the garlands art masters.

Words Ireho Aito /Images /Google