{FEATURE} Osogbo Artists Village: Culture Haven In Need Of Govt’s Support

By Sodiq Yusuf

Art undoubtedly is life. It is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artifacts (artworks), expressing the author’s imaginative, conceptual ideas, or technical skills, intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power.

Existing as old as mankind, artistic works have evolved from early pre-historic art to contemporary art. However, “artistic works”, which roughly translates into “skill” or “craft,” as associated with words such as “artisan” are historic in nature and even predates the existence of man.

In the book of Exodus 35:35, God said: “He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.”

The very first verse of Scripture actually describes a creative act as “God created the heavens and the earth.” Additionally, from Genesis, the Bible says, “God created man in his own image.” This could be interpreted as we are creators just as God created us. We create relationships, art, homes, cities, nations and many more things including inventions even yet to be known! The creative spirit is certainly favoured by God and our fellow men.

Backed by God and taken up by men, art, no doubt is creativity. It is an act done with a great deal and sense of patience, zeal, commitment, hard work, passion and the talent that comes with it. However, those into the real work of art involving carving, sculpturing among others embedded in the vintage artistry are always craftsmen who work day and night to produce beautifully carved works.

OSUN DEFENDER visited Osogbo Artists Village, one of the notable places where carving, sculpturing and other works of art including Batik, Adire, Tie & Dye and so on are made in Nigeria. The crew observed artisans in the trade working on several things and spoke to three artists who have years of experience on the trade, who bared their minds on the ups and downs of the profession.

Folorunso Tunbosun, a 37-year-old who is into the art of sculpturing had this to say: “I graduated from the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun In 2010 from the Department of Fine Arts. But long before I went to school, I had learnt the work of making artworks. I had been doing this when I was in SS1 since 2000. This work is lucrative because I did not suffer financially; even when I needed money for practicals. The in-thing is that if you don’t relent, it will surely pay-off in the end. One doesn’t know if a white man would come, appreciate our work and buy them.

“I joined the Osogbo Artists village in 2016. This place is a convergence of several artists who ply different trades relating to Artistry. One good thing about this place is that it affords those who are willing to learn the opportunity to do so at no cost. We made it free to make the job lucrative to people and promote it. So many people complain that lack of money is the stumbling block barring them from learning a trade like this.

“All of us who are working in this Artists Village contributed to set up this place with the support of the late Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi III who gave this piece of land freely to us. The government is even aware. What gladdens our heart is the fact that some of those we have trained have excelled in their careers even more than some of us.

“My advice to the youths of nowadays is to desist from blaming government for their challenges, but gear up and learn something. They should avail themselves of the numerous opportunities which abound in the society to be an independent person and be self-reliant In the future. I am used to telling them that if you miss your education, do not miss your talents. There is no one inside who God has not deposited a gift. One should optimize it well.”

Taiwo Olurotimi Babatunde who is another artist at the village notes: “This gallery came into being after several meetings with Chief Jimoh Ibrahim, Chief Muraina Oyelami, Baba Sangodare, who came together with the aid of some of us that birthed the Osogbo Artists Village. We met the late Ataoja of Osogbo, who was indeed happy and gave us N250, 000, which we used to start this place with the support of some of our colleagues and the workmanship came from us too.

“We have the challenge associated with finances. In fact, we are impaired with not making more sales with our carvings and artworks.

“It is untrue that it is only traditionalists and pagans who are into this trade. We have Christians, Pastors among us: this does not hinder us. We have Islamic clerics among other numerous believers among us. To do this kind of work, it is just based on talents.

“We have met with the Commissioner in charge of Arts and Culture (in the State 0f Osun) on ways where the government will intervene. He told us that government will get back to us for a meeting on how to make this place much bigger.”

Elder G.O. Dada, who is almost 70 years of age, began the trade in 1968. He said: “I inherited this work from my father, who was into Adire, carving of mortars and pestles, fabrication of cutlasses and hoes among others. This trade is an ancient one because it had started even before the era of our forefathers. The trade has continued to evolve, even with each emerging phase of civilization.

“My children are even into this trade. 3 of them are into this trade. Aside from carving, I’m also into cloth-making and drumming. I inherited all from my father. Some of the wood materials used in carving are iroko, mahogany and other stuffs.

“It is not only priests and traditionalists that are interested in artwork. Anyone who loves the work of art and understands its beauty can patronize us. Some of the things I do are statues of Ogun, Sango, Ifa Corpus and that of Arugba.

“The patronage is diverse. Those who patronize quality are the ones who come to us, not those who steal artworks and carvings. We want government to help us to complete this Artists Village gallery building. We also need government’s support in granting us soft loans to aid our productivity.”

The artists, while noting the lucrativeness of arts, all encouraged well-meaning individuals in the society as well as government to come to their aid in completing the gallery edifice, provide incentives to them, coupled with the promotion of their works.