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| "Portrait of the Gbagyi Woman" |
The painting is the artist's synoptic portrait of a Gbagyi woman. 48" x 48" in size, Oil on Canvas signed and dated bottom right.
Gbagyi or Gwari are peaceful, and creative people living in North-Central geo-political zone of Nigeria. Gbagyi is the most populated, indigenous ethnic Group in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, where their major occupation is farming.
The Gbagyi people initially used to live on mountain tops because they believed they were safer on the mountain than at the plain before western civilization influenced relocation of most to the plain.
Very unique portrait of the Gbagyi woman is the placement of goods, however heavy, on their shoulder. She believes the head represents the ruler of the entire body, hence, it should not be burdened. To her, the load feel lighter on the shoulders than on the head.
Traditionally, when a man announces his interest in a Gbagyi woman, he would have to serve seven years in the would be father-in-law's farm, labouring and supplying grains and other farm produce to the bride’s house for her wellbeing. Nowadays, the groom simply pay the bride’s price instead of serving the traditional seven years.
The Gbagyi people are mostly farmers, and also well known for their visual art most especially pottery. Other arts practise include sculpture, iron smelting, and domestic craft.
