Light On Sculptor To Kings, Olowe Of Ise
would be retrieved and deposited to attract tourists and investors across the world.
“This project is going to sell our state, it is going to put our state and Ise- Ekiti on the map of the world, because the man we are celebrating was unlettered and he didn’t go to any school, but his works are everywhere in the world,” Governor Oyebanji retorted at the visit.
“We are having a museum here and hopefully we have a bigger one in Ado- Ekiti where all his works will be displayed. It is going to be the beginning of great things in the state.” Responding, Oba Ajayi, who hailed the efforts of Governor Oyebanji and Senator Ojudu for “their interest in showcasing the late carver to the world,” added that the community would constitute a committee to support the initiative, saying, “it is going to be a landmark in the history of the community.”
Inauguration Of Olowe Arts Foundation N
OWednesday, January 17, Governor Biodun Oyebanji inaugurated the Board of Trustees of Olowe of Ise Arts Foundation. The foundation aims to honour legacy of the late Olowe and promote appreciation of Nigerian art and culture.
The Board, which has as members those who share a passion for art and cultural preservation, will be responsible for guiding the foundation’s activities, ensuring its sustainable growth, and bringing recognition to the works of the late Olowe.
Members of the Board include Senator Babafemi Ojudu – Chair, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, Chief Nike Okundaye, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Mr Akin Oyebode, Mr Wale Ojo- Lanre, Dr Mike Adeoye, Mrs Abiola Adelana, Prince Tunde Odunlade, Prof. Lawrence Kolawole, Mr Ologbon Olowe and Mr O A Olayinka.
According to Ojudu, “the museum, under the stewardship of the foundation, is poised to serve as a testament to the remarkable craftsmanship, artistry, and cultural significance of the world- renowned carver: A true custodian of Yoruba artistic excellence, Olowe of Ise’s masterpieces reflect the depth of our cultural heritage, the finesse of Yoruba art, and the ingenuity of our ancestors.”
He said establishment of the museum is not simply an act of preservation, “it is a steadfast commitment to safeguarding our heritage, celebrating our artistic contributions, and presenting an enduring legacy for future generations. With the inauguration of the Board of Trustees, we are laying the foundation for this noble endeavour and calling upon you to serve as the guiding force in upholding the mission and vision of the Olowe of Ise Art Foundation.”
He said: “I have the utmost confidence in the competence, dedication, and unwavering commitment of the esteemed trustees appointed to oversee this monumental task. Your collective expertise, foresight, and passion for our cultural heritage will undoubtedly steer the foundation towards sustained success and global recognition. I thank you all for accepting to give of your knowledge, experience, and time.
For the scion of Olowe family, Olajide Ologbon, an HND holder in banking and finance from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, it is indeed a great honour done to the family after several people had morally and physically defrauded them.
Just before he met Ojudu, his long- held dream of getting back some of the carvings of his father had fizzled out.
“Senator Ojudu was the seventh person to come to me on my grandfather, Olowe,” he told The Guardian.
The reception he gave the Senator was cold, because he never believed anyone was ready to help the family to recover the stolen artefacts or even do anything to immortalise his name.
“But after interaction, I was impressed by his effort and the involvement of the state government,” he noted.
The deprivation the family has suffered even made his grandmother to stop his father from carving.
He continued, “when my father, High Chief Matthew Ogundele Olowe, who is the only son of his mother, started showing signs of being a sculptor, his mother stopped him from continuing. She told him, ‘ all the carving that your father did, what did it bring to him other than poverty?’ Painfully, he stopped. Today, nobody in the family can carve or sculpt, the best I can do is to carve a walking stick.”
But beyond carving walking stick and being an Ogun priest, Ologbon said he inherited his grandfather’s wisdom. “My grandmother used to tell me when she was alive that I used to reason and talk the way her husband did. The name Ologbon was given to me by my grandmother,” he revealed. “The decision of Ekiti State government has brought to me a lot of respect and honour in the community. Though none of the atefacts have been brought home, people who never said hello to me now do so.”
For Ologbon Olowe, the beauty of being a priest lies in the respect that it commands. “Being an Ogun Priest has brought its own prestige, integrity and value to me. You cannot be a priest in the community and be messing around or doing what others are doing.”
He added, “even when young ones are quarrelling in the community, they come to me to report matters. There was a time when there was crisis in the community, between the youth and the mobile police which led to the burning of the police station in the community, I would have been involved.”
According to the Director- General of Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Olowe of Ise Arts Foundation, Wale Ojo- Lanre, “this museum will serve as a sanctuary where the treasures of our cultural heritage will be preserved, cherished, and shared with the world, for generations to come.”
For him, the museum will be celebrating cultural heritage— It will be used to inspire and explore the connections between the artwork and the local heritage. Through collective artistic endeavours involving local objects, songs, stories and traditions, participants create their own artwork, showcasing their skills and expanding its representative value.
He said: “The significance of this event extends beyond the realms of art and culture. Cultural tourism plays a pivotal role in the advancement of our state, as it brings economic growth, fosters cross- cultural exchange, and enhances the overall wellbeing of our communities. The Olowe of Ise Arts Foundation, under the guidance of the Board of Trustees, holds the key to unlocking the immense potential of cultural tourism in Ekiti State, bridging the past with the present, and paving the way for a prosperous future.”
According to the DG, “with their collective wisdom and expertise, the Board of Trustees will lead the way in preserving the legacy of Olowe of Ise, nurturing artistic talent, and crafting an environment that supports and encourages the growth of our cultural heritage. Through their efforts, we will showcase the rich tapestry of our history, inspiring both locals and visitors alike to appreciate and celebrate the immense beauty and significance of our cultural identity.”