David H. Dale: Nigeria Loses International Art Giant

Ronke Kehinde/

After eight years at death’s door, Nigerian international artist, Prof David Herbert Dale succumbed to stroke today.

He was 71.

Dale who was known as the only artist in Nigeria that worked in about 21 media, was found to have been affected by chemicals like resins and glue used in his beaded works.

Art patrons and members of the Nigerian art circle have made several efforts to get the master artist going strong again, but he died at about 4 am at the Military Hospital, Yaba.

Since he suffered a serious stroke eight years ago, Dale’s admirers had supported his medical trips to Germany and also picked up his hospital bills in Nigeria.

Born in Nigeria on November 22, 1947, to a British father and a Nigerian mother, Dale attended Groombridge School, in England before proceeding to Guildford Grammar School, Surrey, England, where he spent three years. Thereafter, he moved to Saint Gregory Grammar School, Obalende, in Lagos, Nigeria.

He came home when his father died, and between 1967 and 71, he studied Fine Arts at Ahmadu Bello University with specialization in Graphic Arts.

Signs that he would be a famous artist started very early in his life. At the age of seven, two of his works, The Cart Pusher and The Apple Seller were published in the Liverpool Children Newspaper. He was paid three Guineas – three Pounds, three Shillings. He described the development as the beginning of the beginning.

The first work he sold as an exhibiting artist was pottery created with deep etching and it was bought by Babs Williams for N21, when he was hosted by Mr and Mrs Aig Imokuede in October 1972.

As a tradition, Dale attached an explanatory note to each exhibition he had so that viewers could enjoy the works even when he was not there.

His hobbies included a collection of coins and currencies, stamps from all over the world.

Dale’s collection of stamps were sold in the U.K in July 1996. He also collected musical records.

Dale was also a keen flower gardener. During his numerous travels, he collected flowers and seeds from all over the world which he planted in his botanical garden, then, at Adebola Street, Surulere in Lagos, before he relocated to Akute, in Ogun State, where he built another garden.

Dale had exhibited in USA, Canada, Great Britain, Sweden, Spain, Germany, former USSR, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Cuba, Japan and Holland.

By 1997, he had featured in not less than 60 exhibitions worldwide. His major collectors are Royal Collection, Sweden, The Governor-General of Australia; former President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere; Ford Foundation, New York; Haward University, Washington DC; The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mbari Art, Washington, DC, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Chisborough Product Industries, Lagos, former NAL Merchant Bank, and Alfa Romeo, Italy.

His outstanding commissions are Peacock (engraving and beaded works) for City Group Organisation, African Child Rising High(engraving), for Dolmack Partnership, Lagos,1975; Coins of the World(beads and metal foils and mosaic) for UBA, Sokoto; Banking Activities and Story of the Currency Growth in Nigeria, (beadwork) for defunct Devcom Merchant Bank, Lagos, 1990; Skyscrapers, engraving and deep etching for Lagos State House, 1976; Deep etching, foil and other artworks for Reece, Lagos 1985; Mural for Nigerian Pavilion at Expo 1967 in Montreal, Canada; Designed logo for Ministry of Communication, Lagos and former P &T logo. He also designed 1971 Christmas Card for Student Union at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Metal foil work, National Registry; the IMB 23½ metres long engraving in the reception foyer; Mosaic and metal works for UBA in Abuja, Yola, Sokoto, Idiroko, Ota, Ijebu Ode. He also did works for First Bank, former ETB, Intercontinental Merchant Bank; 24 by 9 feet beaded work, 33 works for Federal Palace Hotel extension and VIP Guest House in Victoria Island, Lagos.

He has won awards and honours worldwide. They include second-place medal, International Arts Competition 1963 -1965; Gold, Silver medals and silver cup at the 1965 Festival of Arts; First Class Star Award, Human Education Institute for Africa, for his contribution to contemporary arts in Africa in 1994; 2nd Prize, Gold Life Painting contest, organized by Kingsway Stores 1959, 2nd Prize for his Lino Print, Iganmu Masquerade 1965; Festival of Arts in Lagos, Nigeria, Bronze Medal by Diamond Publishing presented by former Vice President, Rtd Augustus Aikhomu, 1994, Silver medal, Human Education Institute of Africa (HEIA) in 1963, Silver cup, HEIA, 1964; Gold Medal, HEIA, 1965. He has written a book, Explanatory notes on Deep Etching.

Dale was reported to have had only a daughter.

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