Èṣù Odù: Stone Sculpture by the Water

Èṣù Odù, a stone figure carved by Buraimoh Gbadamosi, stands at the edge of the Ọ̀ṣun River, close to the statue of the goddess Osun. The river meanders through the 75 hectares of the Sacred Ọ̀ṣun Groves in a large, elongated S-shape and eventually empties into the Gulf of Guinea. The beautiful appearance of the river constantly changes on its course through the groves and over the seasons. During the rainy season the water can rise considerably and become a brownish torrent which often causes flooding of some riverside shrines. In the dry season, it is serene and almost transparent.
Buraimoh Gbadamosi (1925- 2014) was one of Susanne Wenger’s closest friends, artistic collaborator and “soul mate”. He was also her next-door neighbour. He is best known for his magnificent stone sculptures with large bulging eyes, which Susanne lovingly called “Kiliwis”. They are displayed throughout the Sacred Groves as well as inside and outside of Wenger’s house. He is also famous for his magnificent carved wooden poles many of the Shrines in the Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Groves
Buraimoh Gbadamosi was originally a tailor by trade but was encouraged to try his hand at wood carving at which he demonstrated enormous talent. His first works of art were commissioned wooden doors for Susanne Wenger’s house, carved in deep relief depicting traditional themes.
Buraimoh Gbadamosi has exhibited widely in Nigeria, Europe and the North Americas, including galleries and museums in Lagos, Ibadan, Berlin, Germany, Austria, Canada and the USA. He has passed on his commitment to artistic creation to his son, Nurudeen Gbadamosi, who sells his works of art - as his father did - from the family home located next to Susanne Wenger’s house on Ìbòkun Road, Òṣogbo.