Ajibike Ogunyemi with his son Wasiu Ajebamidele Ajibike

This photograph shows two generations of artists: Ajibike Ogunyemi and his son, Wasiu, who is walking in his father's footsteps a younger artist of the New Sacred Art Movement in his own right. Ajbike Ogunyemi (b.1941) is one of the original artists of the New Sacred Art Movement. His imaginative screens and gates made from bent metal are found in many in many of the Shrines in the Osun Grove.
Ajibike Ogunyemi was a blacksmith by training, one of a long line of blacksmiths in his family. Influenced and mentored by Susanne Wenger, his playful beaten metal chairs, tables and sculptures of deities adorn Wenger’s house and can be found in art collections throughout the world. Ogunyemi has exhibited in the UK, Germany, Austria and France; and his commissions include the National Black Theatre in Harlem, New York in the USA. One of his metal chairs was sold at the prestigious Bonham’s Auction House in London.