Come inside the Susanne Wenger House
A living centre of learning, of cultural traditions and of New Sacred Art
Susanne Wenger House
Ilé Abólúbọ̀dé
41A Ìbòkun Road, Òṣogbo, Ọ̀ṣun State,
Nigeria, West Africa
Susanne Wenger, locally known as Àdùnní Olórìṣà, lived here from the late 1950s until her death in 2009.
(Àdùnní = 'the one you like to have around you' and Olórìṣà = 'one who is initiated in òrìṣà')
Susanne Wenger House: Exterior StaircaseAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
41A Ìbòkun Road, Òṣogbo
The house is owned by a local family and was first rented by the University of Ìbàdàn for their employee, Ulli Beier and his then wife Susanne Wenger. They moved here after having spent time in Ìbàdàn, Ẹdẹ and Ìlóbùú.
The iconic fence screens are the work of Adebisi Akanji.
Susanne Wenger House: Meeting point for TraditionalistsAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
A centre for traditions
The house has always been – and indeed continues to be – the spiritual centre for traditional rituals and gatherings as well as the meeting point of fellow New Sacred Art Movement members.
Adedoyin Talabi Faniyi: AOT TrusteeOriginal Source: CyArk
Visitors are welcome
The house is also a calling point for the numerous visitors who come to Òṣogbo every year from all over the world.
Princess and High Priestess Doyin Faniyi is Susanne Wenger's adopted daughter and still lives in the house, now with her own family.
Susanne Wenger House: The meeting room on the first floorAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
The house is filled inside and out with works of art created by the artists of the new Sacred Art Movement.
The meeting room on the first floor predominantly features metal works by Ajibike Ogunniyi.
Tap to explore
360 degree view of the meeting room
Susanne Wenger House: New Sacred Art in her homeOriginal Source: Adunni Olorisha Trust/ Osun Foundation
Much of Susanne Wenger’s living quarters have been left unchanged.
This is where she used to welcome visitors.
Susanne Wenger House: Her BedroomAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
As everywhere else in the house, her bedroom is full of art works created by artists of the New Sacred Art Movement.
The whole collection is subject of a publication by the Adunni Olorisha Trust 'Susanne Wenger, her House and her Art Collection'.
Susanne Wenger House: One of her private RoomsAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
Some of the walls of Susanne Wenger’s private quarters are covered in her own expressive graffiti-like texts, the thoughts and philosophies of the artist written in a mix of German, English and Yorùbá.
Susanne Wenger House: A Room on the top floorAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
A room on the top floor.
Some of the interior walls are painted with abstract motifs traditionally found in many of the shrines in the Sacred Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Groves.
Susanne Wenger: with her extended familyAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
Open doors
Over the decades, numerous children grew up in Susanne Wenger’s home on Ìbòkun Road and many friends and fellow artists have found support and help within its walls.
Susanne Wenger House: Extensive Repairs are constantly neededAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
Constant maintenance and repairs needed
Due to the age of the house and the rather harsh climate conditions, constant repairs are needed. The restoration of the house is a major objective of the AOT/F.
Susanne Wenger House: The ShopAdunni Olorisha Trust / Adunni Osun Foundation
New Sacred Art Shop
On the ground floor there is also a cooperative shop where members of the New Sacred Art group can sell their creations.
Kikelomo Oladepo: Textile Artist and Member of Susanne Wenger's Inner CircleOriginal Source: Cyark
The shop is run by àdìrẹ -artist Kikelomo Oladepo.
Sangodare Ajala: New Sacred Artist (2003) by Helmut WienerroitherOriginal Source: Adunni Olorisha Trust/ Osun Foundation
Artist's studio
Also on the ground floor of the house is the studio of Sangodare Gbadaghesin Ajala, Susanne Wenger’s adopted son.
Sangodare was the most senior Ṣàngó Priest, herbalist and a renowned, award winning batik artist.
He died in October 2021.
The Vision for the Future
The AOT/F is doing everything in its power to ensure that this iconic building with all its history, art collection and unique décor can be preserved for years to come.
It is hoped that in future it will not only serve as a lived-in museum and a meeting place for traditionalists, but also as a 'Living Centre of Learning' of cultural traditions and New Sacred Art as well as provide room for artists or scholars in residence.
A large investment is required. With your help we will achieve this vision.
360º view of meeting room by Google
PHOTOGRAPHY
AOT/F Collection
CyArk
Gerhard Merzeder
Helmuth Wienerroither
Julius Berger PLC
Wolfgang Denk
Find out more about the AOT/F’s work by visiting our website www.aot-aof.org
Your donations will support our continuing efforts to maintain and restore the works of art in the Sacred Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Groves. Thank you.
