Tortoise and Squirrel

Twins Seven Seven, born in 1944 in Kogi State, was a renowned Nigerian artist, dancer, and musician. His work, influenced by Yoruba mythology, explored themes of duality. Despite personal struggles, he gained international recognition, including being named a UNESCO Artist for Peace. He passed away in 2011 at 67, leaving a lasting legacy. His name honored his survival as the only living child from seven sets of twins.
This piece incorporates the same art style used by Twins Seven Seven in Tortoise. It depicts a scene from the folktale The Tortoise and the Squirrel, where a clever tortoise outwits a predatory leopard during a famine. While the squirrel complies, the tortoise hides his family and provides for them using a basket and rope. The artwork portrays the encounter between the squirrel and tortoise, with one tortoise carrying food, another rope, and an owl observing in the background. Twins Seven Seven captures the essence of African folklore with themes of wit and perseverance