Prof. Ben Enwonwu was born in 1921 to a family of traditional carves in Onitsha, Anambra State.   He started his art training under an European called Kenneth Murray who he often called his “Art master”. He later went for art training in Londen where he specialized in Sculpture in 1946. He is a good Sculptor and painter. He is the oldest of the living Nigerian artists today. He was a consultant to the international secretariat of the 2nd World Black and African festival of Arts and Culture which took place in 1977 here in Nigeria.  He was also a professor of Art at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University.   He died in 1994 after a meritorious service to Nigerian art life.

Ben Enwonwu has exhibited his numerous works both in Nigeria and overseas. Some of his works are Statute of Queen Elizabeth of Britain (Sculpture Casting), Risen Christ (wood carving) at the University of Ibadan, Sango (God of thunder and lightening) in front of NEPA Headquarters, Marina, Lagos, the life-size statue of the Late Alake of Abeokuta HRH Oba Ademola Gbadebo II (Bronze Casting) and Abstract bronze sculpture of Anyanwu (sun goddess) done on the entrance wall of the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos among others.