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.
In "Give us this day our daily bread," the artist speaks of the suffering and dying of the children of Soweto and the ineffectiveness of human rights proclaimers.
Description:
Deep etching on paper in black and white featuring, from left to right: a woman holding a bowl in her right hand while holding a nude child close to her body; two other nude figures in foreground; a clothed male (left proper). Top: numerous nude figures sitting cross legged or standing. The title and signature are written along bottom edge of composition: "5/75 Give us this day our daily bread - Deep Etching - Bruce Onobrakpeya, Lagos Sept 1980."
The title and signature are written along bottom edge of composition: "5/75 Give us this day our daily bread - Deep Etching - Bruce Onobrakpeya, Lagos Sept 1980."
Provenance:
Warren Robbins, Washington, D.C., -- to 1991
Published References:
Haeger, Barbara and Bruce Onobrakpeya. 1981. Africa: On Her Schedule is Written a Change. Ibadan: African Universities Press, p. 52.
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