Ovia Idah
Chief Ovia Idah (1903–1968) was a Nigerian sculptor, painter, carpenter, designer, and educator. He worked in many mediums including in ebony wood, ivory, plastic, as well as terracotta and cement. Idah's was active in Lagos in Lagos State, and Benin City in Edo State, but showed his work internationally.
Ovia Idah
- Name
- Ovia Idah
- Born
- 1903
- Birthplace
- Oria, Delta State, Southern Nigeria Protectorate (now Nigeria)
- Died
- 1968
- Place of death
- Nigeria
- Occupation
- Sculptor, painter, carpenter, designer, educator
- Movement
- Modernism
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Documentary summary
Chief Ovia Idah (1903–1968) was a Nigerian sculptor, painter, carpenter, designer, and educator. He worked in many mediums including in ebony wood, ivory, plastic, as well as terracotta and cement. Idah's was active in Lagos in Lagos State, and Benin City in Edo State, but showed his work internationally.
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wikidata · Q98238085 · wikipedia · Ovia Idah
In this article
Biography
Biography
He is also known by the names Igbolovia Ida and Ovidah Ida.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Ovia Idah • Other Names — Ovidah Ida, Igbolovia Ida • Born — 1903 • Birthplace — Oria, Delta State, Southern Nigeria Protectorate (now Nigeria) • Died — 1968 • Place of death — Nigeria • Occupation — Sculptor, painter, carpenter, designer, educator • Movement — Modernism
Biography
Biography
He was raised in a royal palace as a court official (or omada) from age 7 until age 15, where he learned carving skills serving as a page under Oba Eweka II of Benin. Idah was employed as a carpenter with the Public Works Department in Lagos from 1923 until 1947. He also taught at King's College in Lagos. Oba Akenzua II persuaded Idah to lead the Benin Carvers Cooperative in Benin City in 1947. Idah's sculptures broke from local carving traditions and had their own unique style. He was included as part of the book, "New Currents, Ancient Rivers: Contemporary African Artists in a Generation of Change" (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992), one of the largest surveys of contemporary African art at the time.
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reference work
- “Ovia Idah”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
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authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q98238085: Ovia Idah
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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