Benedict Chuka Ewonwu (born 1921) was the first Nigerian artist to win international acclaim. His sculpture and painting reflect his conviction that art must be a personal statement and not a stereotyped conformity to any particular style.

The talent of Benedict Ewonwu for woodcarving was recognized early. In 1944 the Nigerian government sponsored his further study in England, and he won his diploma in fine arts at the University of London. His first major exhibition, at the Apollinaire Gallery in London in September 1950, was a popular success, and his work was applauded by art critics. In the period after Nigerian independence Ewonwu held the post of federal art adviser.

During the early period in his career Ewonwu's favorite medium was woodcarving. Although his reputation rests on his bronze and terra-cotta work, his skill at exploiting the natural grain of wood to express the desired motion of the figure remains his...