By Osa Mbonu-Amadi, Arts Editor  

Come Sunday, October 27, 2024, all roads will lead to Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, for fundraising event for the Olowe of Ise Art Museum. His Excellency, Abiodun Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State, will be the chief host.

To announce the event, the Board of Trustees, Olowe of Ise Arts Foundation, addressed a press conference yesterday at Nike Art Gallery, Lagos.

Present at the press conference were Mr. Olugbile Holloway, Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments; Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Dr. Alex Nwuba; Dr. Gbemisola Akinwole; Prince Ade Ajayi, a descendant of Olowe of Ise; Arc. Olayiwola Olayinka; Aina Davies, daughter and representative of Mama Nike Davies; Abiola Adelana; Mr. Alibaba, the popular comedian; and Idris Aregbe, S.A Tourism to the Lagos State Governor.

In his introductory remarks, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, said Olowe of Ise who lived between 1875 and 1937, “was not only one of Africa’s most celebrated artists but also a towering figure in the global history of art.”

The remarkable achievements of Olowe of Ise as a master carver have not only made him a cultural hero in Yorubaland, Senator Ojudu said, but have also earned him a place in the annals of international artistic heritage.

“Born in Ise Ekiti in what is now southwestern Nigeria, Olowe’s work was deeply rooted in the traditional Yoruba aesthetic. Yet, his art transcended cultural boundaries, making him one of the most innovative and influential African artists of his generation,” Ojudu said.

Senator Ojudu said the carvings and sculptures of Olowe of Ise became a part of Yoruba cultural identity. His works today are publicly displayed around prestigious museums around the world, including the British Museum in London. “Despite his global recognition, there has been no dedicated museum or centre in Nigeria to commemorate his contributions to art. This project aims to change that.”

Ojudu said the museum will be constructed in Ekiti where Olowe of Ise lived and worked. “This museum will not only serve as a tribute to Olowe’s extra-ordinary craftsmanship, but also as a centre for research, education and cultural heritage, showcasing the best of Yoruba art.

“To achieve this ambition, the Ekiti State Government is collaborating with both individuals and corporate bodies to embark on a comprehensive fundraising campaign (on October 27, 2024 at Eko Hotels, Lagos). The project will require significant financial resources for construction, acquisition of artworks, etc.,” he said.

Also speaking, the DG, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr. Olugbile Holloway, said a museum’s role is not just to preserve artifacts, but to preserve them in a way that the stories can be told so that subsequent generations can learn about itself. He said he is passionate about the project, given his role as DG. “If we can’t preserve our heritage, what then can we preserve?” He said he had therefore come to give his wholehearted support to the project on behalf of the government.

Dr. Alex Nwuba, Dr. Gbemisola Akinwole, Prince Ade Ajayi, Arc. Olayiwola Olayinka; Aina Davies, Abiola Adelana, and Mr. Alibaba, also spoke pledging their supports for the project.