When one considered the sheer breadth and size of the African continent it is easy to see why so many unique and diverse forms of art originated there. Ancient, as well as modern black artists of Africa relyheavily on the natural resources found in their homes to produce theirfascinating sculptures, textiles, and pottery. Like theirsurrounding neighbors, the Ife has long made excellent use of thematerials graciously given to them by the environment. The resulthas been a long tradition of products of Ife art that depicts life inWestern Africa.
Up to the present day Ife artists employ many of the same artistic methods as their ancestors. Fortunately for them and the world,many of the ancient artifacts are being used as blueprints for modernartists and their influence is tremendous in the current Ife society.
Ife art is a diverse collection of many different art forms.Ancient and modern artists of this region alike often use terra cottaclay, bronze, and granite in their work.Quartz is seen used to create primarily religious pieces. The people who attend or whohave attended Ife school arewell schooled in making use of the resources that surround theirbeautiful homeland.
Some of the traditional forms of Ife art are sculpture, statues,stools, and religious items.; In the case of the sculptures andstatues many different approaches were used to achieve the desired effect. In some cases, the sculptures represented kings anddeities and were considered to be very stylized in design. Thebusts that have been found are unique in the fact that almost all ofthem were sculpted to the correct scale. In other words, theheads were roughly the same size as the head of the model and were madeto be a portrait of sorts. Animals are another favorite subject in Ife art. Many statues andbusts have been found that depict the African respect and dependence onthe animal life of the region for their survival needs.
Among the more unique pieces of Ife art, are the huge monoliths createdfor what appears to have been ceremonial purposes. These enormousworks of art are typically made from granite or clay. Quartz withits jewel like appearance found its way into a wide assortment ofreligious pieces. Some experts credit this use of unusualmaterials to the European influence in the region during the period ofthe 12th through the 17th centuries. Wherever this influence mayhave come from, the result was a collection of stunning examples of Ife art.
It is little wonder that a civilization as well constructed and rich intradition as the Ife people created such amazing art.Each and every piece was and still is steeped the beliefs and values of theirsociety. Ife art is a reflection of the diversity that is sooften seen in the many countries and regions of Africa. Ife art,since its ancient contributions were discovered in the archeologicaldigs, has been a defining force in a greater appreciation of all of theart forms this area has to offer.
Mr. Moyo Ogundipe has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Fine Art from theUniversity of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a Master of Fine Art degree inPainting from The Hoffberger School of Painting, Maryland InstituteCollege of Art, Baltimore, USA.
One of Africa’s most celebrated and renowned black artists, Mr. Ogundipe hasexhibited extensively in Africa, Europe and the USA.His paintings have been described as hypnotic, colorful and denselypatterned.
In 1996, Mr. Ogundipe was awarded the Pollock-Krasner Fellowship. Andin 2005 he was invited to become a member of Africobra, an organizationfounded in the 1960s and whose membership comprises of distinguished African-American artists.
