The work “Tutu” is a portrait painting of a princess, Adetutu Ademiluyi, the granddaughter of a revered traditional ruler from Ife, a Yoruba ethnic group. The painting was recently discovered in a flat in north London by Giles Peppiatt, the director of modern African art at the Bonhams auction house. Enwonwu’s record sale demonstrates the increased global recognition and value of contemporary African art, particularly Nigerian art. “We are very happy that modern Nigerian art has begun to get its actual value”, Oliver Enwonwu, president of the Society of Nigerian Artists, and Enwonwu’s son told Reuters. Enwonwu’s masterpiece, “Tutu”, has been described as rare and remarkable, and the most significant discovery in contemporary African art in over 50 years.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 01, 2018 18:47 UTC