Nigerian artist, David Dale, has died in Lagos in the early hours of Tuesday after a long and traumatic battle with stroke. The artist, famous for the stained glass technique had faced health challenges which had been a collective concern of the Nigerian art community. He has been in and out of coma, and recently he broke a thigh bone that required a surgery. After a successful procedure, he suffered another stroke that impaired his speech and ability to recognise people.
His early artworks and some of his best known artworks are done in the lino engraving and foil methods that Onobrakpeya practised. Dale ventured into print-making and worked with a variety of media including coloured beads, charcoal and stained glass. Nigeria’s leading auction house, Arthouse Contemporary also dedicated its charity lots to raise funds for Dale in Lagos. Among the early supports for Dale came from one of Africa’s leading collectors, Prince Yemisi Shyllon who, according to sources, picked the initial medical bills of the prolific artist. Later, another collector, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, now late, organised Dale Soiree, a private viewing of the ailing artist’s select works.