Ẹ̀là: Striking Piece of Sculpture

Ẹbu Ìyá Mọòpó, the Sacred Potter Field, (ẹbu means potterfield, ìyá means mother, òpó means pillar, column) is home to three of Susanne Wenger’s boldest and most significant sculptures, including Ẹ̀là. This slender, majestic sculpture is more than 8 meters in height and represents Ifá, the god of divination, as a youth.
Ẹ̀là is in perfect balance with its surroundings and becomes one with the trees. In Susanne Wenger’s words: ‘I do not perceive art as an exhibition object but as a form of mythical work. Because I am deeply connected with trees and animals, I feel somewhat entitled to integrate them into this great nature.’
Ẹ̀là is also the messenger, acting as the intermediary between Olódùmarè (the Supreme Creator) and mankind. He reaches out his arms to the divine dimension with his feet grounded yet slightly above the earthly dimension.
Ẹ̀là was made entirely from high quality reinforced cement from its inception and has needed no restoration.