Born in 1934, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, Erhabor Emokpae is regarded as a progenitor and virtuoso of modern art in Nigeria. Emokpae is an artist who worked with a variety of media, ranging from bronze sculptures, to pastel and oil painting. In his formative years, Emokpae was influenced by the Benin Guild of Carvers. After Nigeria’s independence in 1960, Emokpae was influential in shaping the direction of art in the nation. Erhabor Emokpae's efforts are recognised in the founding of the National Arts Council in 1963, as well as being a founding member and secretary of the Society of Nigerian Artists in 1964. In the 1970’s, a replica of the ivory mask of Queen Mother Idia was crafted by Emokpae, this would later bec...