Agbasaga of Ogidi land, chief Nike Davies-Okundaye (2019)The Centenary Project
A cherished Nigerian artist
Born in 1951, Nike Davies-Okundaye is one of Nigeria's most well-known batik and Adire artists. She has exhibited internationally, and is a champion of supporting African artists and women. She founded the Nike Art Galleries in Oshogbo, Ogidi, Abuja and Lagos.
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The color of love
Using different patterns from different parts of the nation, Nike tells the story of 'the pattern of life' through this hand-stitched wall hanging. Its dominant colour, indigo, is the colour of love and therefore has been put together in different shades.
Cycle of Life (1980) by Nike Davies-OkundayeOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
The Cycle of Life
Mama Nike, as she is fondly called, spent three years producing the Cycle of Life. This work was a part of her training at the Oshogbo School of Art under the tutelage of Georgina Ulli Beier. Take a closer look at the many symbols depicted.
Crabs
Some signify law-making and rulers in society. The crab symbol signifies the stage in life when children crawl before they eventually walk.
Circles and keys
The circular symbol signify money while the symbol which has the form of a key signifies the tool which is used to access the money.
Stars
The star represents the indomitable nature of a fighter.
Tribal marks and sugarcanes
The tribal mark motif is used to show a person’s identification with his or her roots and the sugarcane motif signifies the intransigence of sweet things in life.
Hand fan
The hand fan signifies royalty as well as the consuming nature of fire.
Scissors
The scissors signifies continuity in life as it is the tool used to cut the physical connection between mother and child after birth.
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The art of Adire
The beautiful symbols are not accidental but well thought out. Today, more people across the globe have come to know about the “Adire” fabric and the different symbols inherent in it.
