Adebisi Akanji: A Key Member of the Restoration Team

This photo shows Adebisi Akanji, master artist and member of the New Sacred Art Movement from the early 1960’s, in front of a section of decorative wall under restoration.
In 2014 the Adunni Olorisha Trust (AOT) faced a crisis. Only two of the original members of the New Sacred Art Movement were active and able to work in the Groves: Adebisi Akanji and Adeyemi Oseni. All of the other elderly artists had either passed away or not fit enough to work. The Adunni Olorisha Trust estimated that at least 5 more years of work were needed to save the art but the AOT did not have a young team trained. Up until this time, the elderly artists had been reluctant to pass along their knowledge and only one young man, Adebisi Nurudeeni had been trained in this complex artform.
In 2015 the AOT launched the “Save Our Art: Save Our Heritage” Campaign under the Chairmanship of art and heritage enthusiast, Olufemi Akinsanya. The Trust set a goal in 2015 to raise enough money to recruit and train-up a team to complete all the restoration work outstanding in the Groves within 5 years. Five years of secure employment for the team members together with consistant training were the cornerstones of the plan.
Sangodare Ajala, Leader of the New Sacred Art Movement, artist, Priest and son of Susanne Wenger, took on the challenge of recruiting the team and leading the restoration with the help of his able Administrator, Toyin Ajayi. Adebisi Akanji, master artist mentored and trained by Susanne Wenger for 40 years was part of the team along with his son, Nurudeen, wjo he had mentored himself. Adebisi Nurudeen, in turn, was willing to mentor others.
A full team of 18 were recruited and, from 2016 to mid 2019, the team worked together fulltime. Thereafter the AOT had to slow down the work for financial reasons and the team only worked in rotation, part-time between mid 2019 to present. A huge amount was accomplished!! There is more still to be done. But now there is a trained team of skilled restoration artists, artisans and labourers!