Adebisi Akanji (born 1930s) is a Nigerian artist as well as the Olúwo (Ògbóni chief priest) of Ilédì Lárọ̀ Ohùntótó - the main Ògbóni Ìbílẹ̀ lodge of Òṣogbo, capital of Ọ̀ṣun State, Nigeria.

Early life and education

In his early life he worked as a bricklayer,[1][2] and first began to create sculptures as part of a competition to sculpt cement animals based on traditional architectural elements in Yoruba houses.[3]

Career

Akanji is best known for his open-faced cement screens and other sculptural work. He has also worked in textiles.[3] His work often illustrates themes from Yoruba folklore. In collaboration with Susanne Wenger, he worked for a decade on the Osun shrine in Osogbo, Nigeria, and is responsible for many of the shrine's sculptural elements.[3][4]

A cement sculpture by Adebisi Akanji at the entrance to the house of Susanne Wenger.

References

  1. ↑ Jo Ann Lewis (23 January 2000), "Nigeria's 'Concrete' Achievements", Special to The Washington Post, p. G01
  2. ↑ "Adebisi Akanji". Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Adebisi Akanji". Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Official Opening of the Arch of the Flying Tortoise, Osun-Osogbo, Aug. 2015 on susannewenger-aot.org". Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
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