For 5th Sogal Art Auction Odutokun, Glover on collectors' favourite list

A painting titled ‘Ubiquitous Warriors' by Gani Odutokun.

As the yearly Sogal art auction holds today, Sunday, May 5, 2019, 5 p.m at Signature Beyond Gallery, 107, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, a “rare” painting by Gani Odutokun will be exposed to art lovers. 


In over ten years of Nigeria’s secondary art market, quite a number of paintings by the late artist have been auctioned. Also among featured artists in the auction is one of Ghana’s masters, Ablade Glover.

Born on August 9, 1946 and died, February 1995, Odutokun was one of the notable artists and art teachers at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State. Among his celebrated masterpieces are wall murals and paintings such as the iconic 'Dialogue with Mona Lisa,' and several commissioned public works. However, among other works being auctioned today is what the auction house described as “rare painting by Odutokun.” Titled ‘Ubiquitous Warriors' and dated 1990, the painting, which was viewed via soft copy image, emits blue tone dominance. Indeed, the texture of the painting suggests a rare rendition by Odutokun whose brush stroke is known more for abstract contents. Figurative in content, the painting however retains the Odutokun identity of flow of colour movements across the canvas. More unique of the painting is the absence of screaming red and orange of which the artist’s work is known for.

Also on the list of expected top sales at Sogal auction is 'Everyday Woman' by Glover. In poetic rendition with central figure of a woman and her elaborate fashion, the painting celebrates natural African beauty. Known for his mastery of multiplication effect on canvas, Glover, covertly brings that signature of his into ‘Everyday Woman.’

Glover is a familiar artist on the Nigerian art landscape; he showed during Nigeria’s golden jubilee celebration in 2010 in a group art exhibition titled An Evening with the Masters. Born in 1934, Accra, Ghana, Glover holds NDD, ATD, Med, PhD and FRSA. He had
his education in Ghana, Britain and the U.S.

In its fifth edition, the Sogal 2019 edition is featuring other masters from West and North African countries. Described as “a major Lagos market window for the best of modern and contemporary art of Africa,” the 5th edition took off few days ago with public previews.

“As the Sogal Art Auction has established itself as one of the leading secondary market outlets in Lagos since 2014 when the first edition was held, the auction has grown generating new art enthusiasts every year,” the auction house noted.

With 100 lots, other featured artists include Amos Odion, Bona Ezeudu, Shina Yusuf, Raqib Bashorun, Duke Asidere and Alex Nwokolo, among others. Artists from Ghana whose works are on sale include Wiz Kuduwor and Ato Delaquis. From Cameroon comes  Djakou Nathalie, Benin Republic are Moufouli Bello, Rafiy Okefolahan and Francis Tchiakpe. The aiction also include work by Egyptian artist, Mohammed Youssef.

The auction will also feature new generation of artists such as Dotun Popoola, Dennis Osakue, Babalola Lawson, Kingsley Obasi, John Ogbeta, Raji Mohammed, Seye Morakinyo,  Ike Gerald Chiemezie and Yakubu Abdulkareem, Kunle Adegorioye among others.
 One of Odutokun's ex-students, Asidere dedicates a painting titled 'The 16th' to teenage girls. Dated 2018, the painting of about six figures, perhaps derives its strength from the innocence look of the combined hues and shades of colours. Asidere was born in Lagos on October 7, 1961 and trained at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria from 1985 to 1990, graduating with B.A. (Fine Arts) First Class Honours in Painting. He also obtained MFA in Painting from the same school. Asidere has been a full time studio
artist after he quit his job as a lecturer at the Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, in 1995.

Sculptural contents to the auction, among many others include 'Royalty', a wood piece
in design form dated 2012 by Bashorun. In 'Royalty', Bashorun makes bold statement with his mastery of aesthetics depth in wood sculpture.

Born in 1955, Bashorun holds an M. Ed. Art Education and MFA from the University of Missouri-Columbia, 1998 and 2002, respectively. He joined Yabatech as Lecturer I, in the School of Art, Design and Printing in 1986. He was a Visiting Assistant Professor, Fine Arts Department, University of Missouri-Columbia, in 2003.

Delaquis' gathering of faces in satirical forms titled 'Genial Rascals Kpanlogo Avenue', dated 1992 brings into the auction a master's touch. Born in 1945 and described as a prolific artist, Delaquis is also known to have worked across medium and styles as one of Ghana's top masters. Born in 1945, Delaquis is one of Ghana’s foremost artists. Well known for his iconic paintings of horsemen, as well as landscapes and more abstract work, he is also a prolific draughtsman, and has worked in a wide variety of media including printmaking.

Yusuff brings back the memory of the 1980s era of Nigerian art with a piece titled 'Maternity', dated 1989. In eclectic of five forms on one canvas, Yusuff, born in 1943 renders classic abstraction form.

In 27 years of existence, Signature Beyond Gallery relies on its vast experience in art appreciation to keep the Sogal auction going stronger. “With an emphasis on quality, Sogal art auction entered the Lagos market scene on October 20, 2014,” the auction house boasted. “Since then, we have continued to contribute to the growth of the domestic secondary art market, and consequently an increased appreciation of Nigerian and indeed African art internationally.”