Iledi Ontotoo: Shrine Wall Painting in the Interior

The interior of the Iledi Ontotoo Shrine is richly decorated with wall shrine paintings, a symbolic visual art form of the Yoruba which communicates messages to the Gods. The original paintings were created by Foyeke Ajoke Isola and Sango Tundun who also created the wall Shrine art in Susanne Wenger’s house. They were the only women artists in the New Sacred Art Movement and were in charge of the wall paintings, a traditionally female domain in Yoruba traditional culture. In 2012 Foyeke's grandson, Kujenyo Kehinde Sango, who had been carried on his grandmother’s back while she created the art in the late 1960s, recreated these magnificent works of art during restoration works.
There is very little written about this unique art form. Bolaji Campbell’s book; “Painting for the Gods: Art and Aesthetics of Yoruba Religious Art”, African World Press; Trenton N.J. 2008 is an excellent reference.