Ben Osawe (Nigerian, 1931-2007)Totem
signed and dated 'Osawe 1991' (reverse of base)
wood
149 x 24cm (58 11/16 x 9 7/16in).注脚Osawe was born into a family of respected sculptors and craftsmen. He learned his trade from his father, who was court artist for the king of Benin, Oba Eweka II.

Osawe moved to London to study at the School of Graphic Art (1956-59) and the Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts (1960-65). In 1965, he was selected to represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth Festival in Glasgow. He returned to Nigeria in 1966 before moving to Benin City in 1979, where he continued to sculpt until his death in 2007.

Over the course of his career, Osawe showed himself to be a master of many media including cement, clay and metal. However, it was with wood that he felt most at home.