Acrobat V
2019 · Carved wood sculpture · 193 cm (76 in.)
Reuben Ugbine
He carved the Nigerian figure in iroko and ebony, and shaped it in clay.
In 2018 the British Museum bought a work from his Benin City studio. Now his family shows the rest, and you can ask about any piece.
- In the British Museum: Traditional hairdressing, 2018
- 92+ works in the estate catalogue
Recognition
Bought a painted terracotta tableau, Traditional hairdressing, from his Benin City studio in 2018.
His sculpture has been offered at auction.
Rele and Aabru Art
Group shows in Lagos (2019) and London (2013 and 2014).
Six works to begin with.
Each one can be saved to your selection and sent to the Estate.
Meditation IV
2019 · Carved wood sculpture · 68.5 x 92 cm
See-Saw
1991 · Carved wood sculpture · 91.5 cm (31 in.)
African Queens
2010 · Carved wood · Approx. height 124 cm
Metamorphosis
2017 · Carved wood sculpture · 163.8 cm
Tussle
2015 · Carved wood sculpture · 102 cm
Wood, clay and the figure.
Ugbine worked mainly in wood, with terracotta and stoneware alongside. He cut concave and convex forms into figures and masks, and he also worked with metal railings.
Ebony and iroko
Wood was his main medium. The catalogue lists carved ebony, iroko and other woods: standing figures, couples, mothers with children and totems.
See the wood works
Terracotta and stoneware
From the early 1980s he made figurative terracotta based on traditional Nigerian dress. A seated child, a football team and figures in stoneware are among the clay works in the catalogue.
See the clay works
Masks and Janus
Masks and doubled faces recur in his work. Janus (1993) is in the catalogue, alongside several masks and masked faces.
See the masksFind the work you would live with.
Nineteen works from more than ninety in the estate catalogue. Year, medium and size are as the estate lists them. Save the ones you want to know more about, then send the list to the Estate.
Plate 01
Athleticism V
Plate 02
Mother and Child
Plate 03
Janus
Plate 04
A Seated Child
Plate 05
Lovers
Plate 06
Meditation IV
Plate 07
See-Saw
Plate 08
Nuptial Dance
Plate 09
Totem Figure
Plate 10
Acrobat V
Plate 11
African Queens
Plate 12
Brothers
Plate 13
Tussle
Plate 14
Ghanéen
Plate 15
Inspirational Thinker
Plate 16
Unity
Plate 17
Metamorphosis
Plate 18
Nigerian Couple
Plate 19
Nigerian (Stoneware Figure)
A life at the chisel.
Study at Auchi and Yaba, seven years of teaching, then more than three decades in his own studio.
Read his story1956
Born in Anponya, Ghana
Born on 24 November 1956 to Nigerian parents.
Early years
Warri Secondary School
His interest in wood carving began here.
1976
Auchi Polytechnic
Earned an Ordinary National Diploma and the Principal’s Prize for the overall best student.
1979
Yaba College of Technology
Received a Higher National Diploma in Sculpture.
Early 1980s
Figurative terracotta
Began making figurative terracotta based on traditional Nigerian dress.
1980–1987
Lecturer at Auchi Polytechnic
Taught as instructor and lecturer, then left to work full time in his studio.
1983
National Museum, Benin City
Held a solo exhibition.
1984
National Museum, Jos
Held a solo exhibition in August.
1987
Creative Hands, Benin City
Established the Creative Hands studio in Benin City and worked as a full-time artist.
1992
Mixed Grill
Held the solo exhibition Mixed Grill at the Russian Cultural Centre, Lagos.
2013
Aabru Art, London
Shown in the group exhibition Transcending Boundaries.
2018
The British Museum
The museum bought Traditional hairdressing, a painted terracotta tableau, from his studio in Benin City. He also took part in the ArtHouse Contemporary Auction.
2019
Material Times, Lagos
Shown in the group exhibition Material Times at Rele Gallery.
2021
Died
Left more than forty years of work in wood, terracotta, stoneware and metal.
From first look to your collection.
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Choose
Browse the catalogue and save the works you want to know more about.
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Ask
Send the list to the Estate with a few lines about what you need. We reply by email.
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Decide
The Estate shares provenance, condition and availability so you can decide with the facts.
The Reuben Ugbine Foundation.
New, and just beginning: a family initiative to look after the archive, document the work and support the next generation of sculptors.
Learn about the FoundationKaro Ugbine leads this project.
Karo is one of Reuben Ugbine’s sons. He is a visual artist, and he leads the Estate’s work, including this website.
Read the July 2026 coverage“continuous documentation, education and engagement”
Karo Ugbine, on what preserving a country’s artistic heritage takes. ThisDay, July 2026
Contact the Estate
- Address
- 8b, Frankfort Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
- Phone
- +234 903 465 2289, +234 704 425 3448
- Email the Estate
Request a viewing
Tell us who you are and what you would like to see. We reply by email.
