Abraham Uyovbisere: The master who painted life into art

By Mudiare Onobrakpeya

ABRAHAM Uyovbisere was a man who knew how to capture the intangible—the grace of movement, the quiet dignity of a woman, the poetry in the everyday. His canvases breathed, whispering stories of culture, romance and elegance. He was not just a painter; he was a visual storyteller, a custodian of beauty and a man whose work carried the weight of legacy.

Born in Burutu, a town where the river meets the sky, Abraham was shaped by both land and water, by movement and stillness. But it was in the studios of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, that his true journey began. There, surrounded by the echoes of the great Zaria Art Society, he honed his craft, earning a First Class Honours degree in Fine Arts in 1987. Yet, talent alone was never enough for him—he sought mastery. He found inspiration in the rigor of the Zaria School, but it was under the guidance of Tyrone Geter, the renowned American draughtsman, that Abraham sharpened his skills, refining the depth and precision that became his signature.

To look at an Uyovbisere painting was to be drawn into a world of colour and rhythm, of delicate yet powerful expressions. He painted women with a reverence that made them ethereal, yet deeply human, their forms caught in a dance of light and shadow. He captured the soul of Nigeria, translating the unseen energy of his people into masterful strokes.

But Abraham was not just an artist locked in a studio—he was a teacher, a mentor and a presence. He was a participant at the Harmattan Workshop, where he joined hands with other artists under the guiding influence of Bruce Onobrakpeya, pushing the boundaries of creativity in an environment where ideas were free to flourish.

His contribution to Nigerian art was vast, his reputation secured in both local and international collections. His works found homes in Nigeria, Europe and the United States, cherished for their depth and sophistication. His talent did not go unnoticed—he was awarded the Yusuf Grillo Award for Life Drawing, the T.A. Fasuyi Award for Painting, the Delta State Distinguished Artist Award, among many others. He carried titles—President of the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria, Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists—but it was his work, not his accolades, that spoke the loudest.

Now, as he is laid to rest in Orogun, his home village in Delta State, the art world is left with an emptiness that cannot be filled. He leaves behind a vacuum, not just in the studios where he once stood, but in the hearts of those who knew him, those who were inspired by him.

But even in his absence, he remains. His paintings will continue to challenge us to see beyond what is visible, to find beauty in fleeting moments, to strive for greatness in whatever medium we touch.

So we do not just say ‘goodbye to Abraham Uyovbisere’— we say ‘thank you.’ Thank you for the colour, the light, the legacy. Thank you for reminding us that art is not just what we see, but how we live.

Rest well, Master. Your art, your essence will never fade!

One of Abraham Uyovbisere’s works