Listed as one of the only two United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). World Heritage sites in Nigeria, the Osun Osogbo Grove is an impressive 75-hectare expanse sitting in a beautiful forest on the edge of the city of Osogbo. more...
Transformed into an art park dotted with hundreds of monumental Sculptures created by local artists and the late Austria born Susanne Wenger also know as Adunni Olorisha after she embraced the Yoruba religion to become a priestess and the guardian of the grove. Since the site was declared as a world heritage site,tourists and art lovers have continued to throng the venue appreciating the atmosphere and natural elements as much as the unique sculptures which exemplifies an artists commitment to creativity.
Susanne Wenger with other artists, Adebisi Akanji, Akangbe-Ogun, Rabiu Abesu and others created many of the sculptures between 1960-1980 as a reminder of the intrisinc culture and traditions of Nigeria.After her demise in 2009, the Adunni Olorisha Trust was founded in her honor in support of the Susanne Wenger foundation. As part of its responsibilities to preserve Nigeria’s key contribution to the world’s cultural and artistic history the trust launched a campaign and exhibition, Save our Art! Save our Heritage! in a bid to salvage what is left of the contemporary works and to save Nigeria from losing the important UNESCO world Heritage site designation.
Femi Akinsanya, chairman, the save our art campaign, stated that the works serve as a testament to continuation of the tradition of great creativity of Nigerian artists i our own time. “We the present generation of Nigerians, have a duty to preserve the spectacular artistic works in the Grove and hand them over in perfect form to coming generations”
At the event launch and exhibition leading members of the art communities and concerned citizens in attendance purchased artworks to support the campaign and joined in the conversation about the importance of heritage art with special guest speaker, professor Bruce Onabrakpeya, Peju Alatise and Victor Ekpuk.
While it is a relief that some of the sculptures are still available, it is discomforting that they may soon become forgotten if left unattended. It’s only a matter of time before they loose face. In his conversations, Victor Ekpuk stated that memory gives a sense of self and identity hence its preservation is of essence. Having completed seven major restorations to date, the Adunni Olorisha Trust (AOT) plans to restore the art works within five years and most importantly train the next generation of artists that can continue the trend.
The trust also seeks to enhance the tourism potentials of the site, establish a foundation which can provide education and awareness of the art legacy within Nigeria and internationally and to protect the uniqueness of the unspoiled forest.
In order to develop further awareness of this important period of art in Osogbo, the AOT will also restore the Brazillian style house of the white priestess, which contains a lot of her personal art collection. Wenger’s Brazilian-style three-storey house at 41A Ibokun Road in Osogbo, also known as Ile Abolubode is an elaborate artwork that bespoke her artistic life and cultural commitment. A mighty Ahun tree wrapped by creepers screens off a section of its frontage; and dramatic figurines beautify its low outer walls. The botanical name of the tree is Apocynaceae; it is medicinal and protected as a national monument. The house, one of the best built over a hundred years ago will become a ‘living’ learning center that will promote Osogbo art, the legacy of Susanne Wenger and Ulli Beier, and establish an art residency program.
Despite their age the only two surviving original artists who worked with cement showed interest in helping with the restoration work and to train the next generation of artists and artisans with hopes that using improved material and techniques, the restored sculptures will last for decades.
According to Femi, the Osun Osogbo works are even more remarkable because of the monumental nature of many of the sculptures. “These works must be used to rally and inspire generations of Nigerians, to remind us that we are a people with worthy cultural and historical achievements, from which we can draw a sense of Identity and pride and to spur us to commit, each and all, to focus on work and preoccupations that add to society and will long remain after we too have departed from this plane. All mortals will sooner perish,and may sooner be forgotten . Great works of art help perpetuate the extraordinary achievements of peoples and times past and can ispire the living and future generations to aim higher; feel pride in their past and history and make them determined to make their own lives and times count too”
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