Michael Maghiro working on the statues at Legends Garden at University of the Bahamas.
The statues of Bahamian musical icons Berkley “Peanuts” Taylor, Ronnie Butler and Calypso King Eric Gibson.
PHILIPSBURG--Known locally as “Africa,” Michael Ikechukwu Maghiro was invited to a ceremony on July 19 in Nassau, Bahamas, where he unveiled a statue depicting one of the country’s most loved musical legends Calypso King Eric Gibson inside the recently inaugurated Legends Garden at University of the Bahamas.
Maghiro has been commissioned to create several statues, which will be erected inside the garden, located near the Keva M. Bethel building at the University’s Oakes Field Campus.
Once completed, the garden is to contain the single-most extensive collection of statues honouring heroes and heroines in the Caribbean. The three statures created so far, are of Bahamian musical icons, the legendary Berkley “Peanuts” Taylor, Ronnie Butler and Gibson.
Two of the Bahamian heroes are no longer alive but lived long enough to witness their sculptures being unveiled at the garden. The third, Gibson, was present at this year’s unveiling and expressed his amazement at the accuracy and detail of the lifelike statue of himself.
Maghiro, who is well-known for his work, has created some outstanding statues throughout the Caribbean, including the Ellis Thomas portrait in Tortola and British Virgin Islands’ local hero Sir Oliver George.
During the ceremony, Maghiro was praised for his exceptional artistic ability by government officials, including former Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie.
It is not uncommon for Maghiro to be whisked away from his St. Maarten home by patrons of the arts. He has travelled to many countries, including the United States, to produce sculptures. However, this is the first time he has been commissioned for such a massive project.
“It is quite a challenge, but it is more of an honour to be able to help capture some of the people’s history because they have made significant contributions to the society,” Maghiro said.
When asked how he received the task of making the 50 statues, Maghiro explained that Bahamian philanthropist Craig Flowers contracted him to create the Legends Garden with the intention of “honouring living heroes before they are gone.”
Flowers had been in St. Maarten five years prior on a business trip when he stumbled upon Maghiro’s Front Street art gallery and fell in love with some of the sculptures on display.
Maghiro spoke of his encounter with Flowers during his speech to attendees at University of the Bahamas. At first, when Flowers approached him, Maghiro said he thought very little of the meeting. It was not until Flowers brought him to the Bahamas 72 hours later, and showed him what he had in mind, that Maghiro realised he had been given a “genuine and unique” opportunity to capture some of the Caribbean, and the Bahamas’ most-treasured history.
Maghiro also spoke of his passion for creating “great art” and told the attendees about the joy he derives from seeing how people appreciate the moments of history he captures through his art.
According to him, it would not have been possible to complete the work done thus far for Legends Garden, without the confidence shown in his artistic ability by Flowers, who has financed the project.
Legends Gardens will be one of the most significant undertakings of Maghiro’s career. The statues are prominently displayed at the University, and this accomplishment is a feat he is most proud of. He thanked the University and the Bahamian government for allowing him the opportunity to showcase his creative talents.
The Nigerian-born award winner came to St. Maarten in 1997, actually heading for Antigua, when he fell in love with the island. He has also produced work on the island, including the bust of Emilio Wilson at Emilio Wilson Park, One-Tété Lohkay and the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), the national bird of St. Maarten.
A biography of Maghiro written by Fabian Badejo describes the Nigerian sculptor as a man filled with passion and abiding faith in God. These two drive Maghiro both in his professional work and in his private life.
He is a very passionate artist who openly exhibits “passion for life, passion for the arts, passion for sculpting and passion in its pure and unadulterated form.”
He said he loves to see the good in people and enjoys bringing that good out artistically which he believes is a testament to the power of God. He lives by his grandfather’s adage: “Always pray as if hard work is never necessary and work hard as if your prayers are not answered.”
In St. Maarten, he founded Ikemba African Gallery some 20 years ago and has been curating since. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recognized him for his geographical reach and talent which the organization described as “sterling, significant, continuous and creative contributions in the area of sculpting in the region.” He has received numerous other awards and recognition locally, regionally and internationally.
Steeped in the tradition of the Benin masters, his bronze sculptures can be found all across the Caribbean – gracing the two gateways to St. Maarten: the harbour and the airport – and in the US, his native Nigeria and several African countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Malawi, where he also has a studio.
Maghiro comes from a family of artists. “My sister Patience is an award-winning fine artist. And from small, we were taught to be independent businessmen and women. So, I guess, for me, art and business are not mutually exclusive. They are, in fact, complementary.”
Whether he is teaching children African dance, or erecting one of his signature monumental sculptures, Maghiro lives by the principle that South-African President Nelson Mandela enunciated: “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make a difference.”
