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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