Ilédì Oǹtótóo: Ọbàtálá rising

This photo is a detail of the first of three roofs of the Ilédì Oǹtótóo Shrine, Susanne Wenger’s most sensitive and complex architectural creation. Built in the 1960s and early 1970s, it is the assembly point for the Ògbói Fraternity - 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. In this photo, Ọbàtálá, the God of Creation and Light, rises from the white elephant’s forehead, symbolising that divine transcendence originates from Mother Earth. The roof structure above the sculpture is held up by wooden struts which are then covered in the traditional "palm kernel" material (the central rib of a palm frond). The sculptures are made from cement reinforced with metal rods and sculpted using chicken wire to create the forms.
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.