Ilédì Oǹtótóo: a Magnificent Centrepiece

This photo is of the middle section of the Ilédì Oǹtótóo Shrine, Susanne Wenger’s most sensitive and complex architectural creation. Built in the 1960s, it is the assembly point for the Ògbóni, traditionalists associated with the Earth deity.
This remarkable structure is composed of three enormous roofs which rise against the sky like giant lizards, representing the forces of the earth before mankind. This photo shows the centrepiece of the shrine with the powerfully sculpted high-posts that support the roof and symbolically protect the inner sanctum of the shrine.
The magnificent high-posts were created by Kasali Akangbe-Ogun (left); Buraimoh Gbadamosi ( centre) and Rabiu Abesu (far right). Each has his signature style. Akangbe-Ogun’s sculptures have lean, elongated facial features. Gbadamosi figures have large bulging eyes that also appear on his stone sculptures that are dotted around the entire groves. Abesu’s works feature pronounced jowls and a strong sense of tranquility.
The exterior walls are elaborately sculpted with “rapturously emotional scenes” - to quote Wenger - depicting interactions with the deities. The flow of the Ọ̀ṣun River and the connection between earth and water are seen and felt throughout this magnificent shrine. The walls literally flow, as this image shows. Other parts of the walls depict interactions with the deities but the undulating Ọ̀ṣun River is felt throughout the Shrine.
This Shrine was collapsing in 2012. But in a major effort, 23 people worked on this complex restoration led by Adebisi Akanji - Wenger’s artistic collaborator on all her major monuments - and Sangodare Ajala, artist, leader of the restoration work in the groves and adopted son of Wenger. Sadly, Saka Aremu, one of the first artists to be mentored by Wenger, passed away during this long restoration.
This photo is by Adolphus Opara, a very talented photographer who documented the Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Shrines and Sculptures for the Trust over many years. He has exhibited widely at prestigious venues including at the Tate Gallery, London; and at Harvard University, USA, where his photos of the Ọ̀ṣun Grove were exhibited as part of a conference on the connections between sacred groves in Nigeria and in Brazil. Adolphus Opara selected this photo out of his collection as one of ten of his favourite works inspired by the groves. The photograph was the cover image for the brochure of the 'Save Our Art! Save Our Heritage' fundraiser exhibition for the groves in 2015.