Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994) Portrait of a young man signed and dated 'BEN ENWONWU/ 52' (to nape of neck) wood 27 x 10 x 14cm (10 5/8 x 3 15/16 x 5 1/2in). Footnotes: Provenance Gifted to the previous owner by the artist in the late 1960s. By direct descent. Following his tutelage with British artist Kenneth Murray, then teaching at the Government Colleges of Lagos, Ibadan and Umuahia, Enwonwu travelled to London to exhibit a selection of wood carvings and paintings in 1944. The show was positively received, and attracted the attention of L.W. Harford, director of Shell West Africa. Harford helped Enwonwu to secure a scholarship to continue his studies in England, first at Ruskin School of Art in Oxford, and then at the Slade School of Fine Art from which he graduated with a first class degree in Sculpture. Whilst in London, Enwonwu was popular with his fellow students. He made a habit of gifting works to those he felt a particular affection for, a practice he continued throughout his life. This wooden head was given to one of his friends, a fellow artist, in the early 1950s when he returned to London for an exhibition. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com