The Adunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
Committed to the preservation of the Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Groves, the art it contains, its environment and the cultural heritage it represents.
Susanne Wenger working on her last sculpture, OduAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
Cultural preservation in the spirit of Àdùnní Olórìṣà
Àdùnní Olórìṣà, Susanne Wenger’s name given to her by the people of Òṣogbo, reflects her - and our - steadfast commitment to the Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Sacred Groves.
And this is what we do:
Restore and conserve New Sacred Art
The restoration team has restored 18 major shrines and monuments; 1500 meters of decorative walls and more than 60 sculptures.
Train restoration artists and artisans
Trained by the original artists, now a new generation is tasked with preserving the art in the groves.
Skills to save the art and enhance employment opportunities
All skills are transferable to other work settings, boosting employment opportunities.
Protect the flora and fauna
Yorùbá traditions understand the fragile balance between man and the environment.
This is a rare protected forest in an otherwise densely populated region.
Preserve Susanne Wenger's House: a living centre of learning
Our aim is to restore the house as a 'Living Centre of Learning' of cultural traditions and New Sacred Art.
Promote, educate and document
We assist filmmakers, curators, academics and authors with exhibitions, books, films, research, lectures and websites.
We publish and promote.
Video: Save Our Art! Save Our Heritage! CampaignAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
Femi Akinsanya
Chairman of the 'Save Our Art! Save Our Heritage!' Campaign
Ọbàtálá Shrine Complex: Children and RestorationOriginal Source: Adunni Olorisha Trust/ Osun Foundation
With your help we will succeed!
Protect cultural heritage for the next generation.
Your help is needed and appreciated. Please contact us here !
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following people and institutions for allowing us to use their photographs, videos and music as well as editing support:
Abiodun Omotoso; Adewolu Kazeem; Adolphus Opara; Akintunde Akinleye; Alex Gaime; Carolyn Ristau; CyArk; Devesh Uba; Elisabeth Stolz; Erika Cramer; Eva Maria Ocherbauer; Gerhard Merzeder; Gert Chesi; Gusti Merzeder-Taylor; Helmuth Wienerroither, Horst Stasny; Hugh Campbell; Judith Haeser; Julius Berger PLC; Karin Troy; Lena Naumann; Lesley Lababidi; Molara Wood; Moussa Kone; Nike Okundaye; Olusola Otori; Osisiye Tafa; Pierre Guicheney; Susanne Wenger Foundation; Ulli Beier*; Uschi Boersing; Wolfgang and Martha Denk; Wolfgang Stoegermayer; Victor Manfredi.
President and Fellows of Harvard College, Frances Loeb Library GSD Site Research Collection, Harvard Graduate School of Design.
* ⓒ Ulli Beier Photographic Estate. Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU). Oshogbo, Nigeria & Iwalewahaus, University of Bayreuth, Germany.
VIDEO
CyArk
Video production: Molara Wood
PHOTOGRAPHY
AOT/F Collection
CyArk
Devesh Uba
Helmuth Wienerroither
Wolfgang Denk
We thank our valued donors and supporters who make this important work possible:
The Tolaram Group; Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.; Femi Akinsanya; The Republic of Austria; Lafarge Nigeria; Ford Foundation; Goethe Institut Nigeria; James Cubitt Architects; Tillyard Nigeria; Pisces Power; Vita Construction; Hugh and Robin Campbell; Peter and Gusti Taylor.
Find out more about the AOT/F’s work by visiting our website www.aot-aof.org
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