Artgidi

Artwork Description:

Ori is a picture copy of the original sculptural piece rendered in metal. It represents one of the Ife Heads known as Obalufon. But, the title Ori means Head in English. The Yorubas believe that head is the citadel of knowledge. The Ori in this representation stands for ancient civilisation among the Yoruba race. It takes a lot of technical know how to produce such a nice sculpture in bronze by hollow cast. It represents dignity, power, knowledge and strength. And that is being preserved in this sculpture

Artist Bio

- Idowu Sonaya is an artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a dynamic artist with prowess in sculpture and painting. He is the immediate past Chairman of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos State Chapter. He was born on the 28th November, 1970. He hailed from Odogbolu in Ogun State. He had his tertiary education at Yaba College of Technology with a specialization in Sculpture. He has quite a number of Public projects and private collections to his credit, amongst which is the bust of Tunji Braithwate, the bust of Alhaja Abibat Mogaji at Oyingbo in Lagos, the magnificent gate at Rowe Park in Lagos and the two Lady of Justice Sculptures on the walls of Federal High Court Building, Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. He is also influenced by the use of lines, which he has been demonstrating via his constant use of metal rods to create portraitures. He was the recipient of the following awards: Best Sculptor - Remembrance Artistic Society Salon Art Exhibition at University of Lagos 1997 Distinguished Stewardship Award - Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos Chapter 2015 Distinguished Service Award - Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos Chapter 2017 Metal Sculpture Art Award - Hungarian Trade and Cultural Centre Exhibition, Budapest 2019.