Monument
Press
Monuments of the Soul: Reuben Ugbine’s Posthumous Exhibition
O’DA Art Gallery presents “Monuments of the Soul”, a posthumous exhibition celebrating the lasting legacy of the late Reuben Ugbine. The show runs from 24 February to 16 March 2024 at O’DA Art in Victoria Island, Lagos. The Guardian NG +1
Exhibition Highlights
- Featuring 25 works spanning more than two decades (1998 to the present), the exhibition traces the evolution of Ugbine’s sculpting and carving practice. Businessday NG+1
- Materials include wood (ebony & iroko), terracotta, and repurposed metal railings, showcasing both Ugbine’s technical range and his artistic sensitivity to texture and form. The Guardian NG +1
- Identity is a central theme: through the human form, traditional costumes, and everyday life, the works explore what it means to be, to belong, and to carry memory. The Guardian NG +1
Background & Legacy
Reuben Ugbine (1956–2021), born to Nigerian parents in Anponya, Ghana, studied at Auchi Polytechnic and Yaba College of Technology. He taught at Auchi Polytechnic before focusing fully on his studio practice. Over his career, he became internationally exhibited and respected for his mastery of figurative terracotta, wood carving, masks, and paintings. Businessday NG+1
