Prince Yemisi Shyllon: Championing Nigerian Art
From his beginnings in art collecting to founding the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art at Pan-Atlantic University.
Meet Prince Yemisi Shyllon
Prince Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon hails from Abeokuta and comes from the Sogbulu and Ogunfayo lineage of the Laarun royal ruling house of Ake in Egbaland. His passion for art started when he was a child and he began collecting while at university. His art collection is Nigeria's largest and the heart of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum.
Prince Yemisi Shyllon and his wife speaks to Museum Manager Michael Oseghale on their beginnings in art collecting, and the journey towards founding the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art at Pan-Atlantic University.
Wonder Masquerade (2011) by Bona EzeuduOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
What is the first artwork you collected?
A stylized wooden woman form, while I was an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan in 1975-1976.
The Melody Maker (1999) by Toyin AladeOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
How large is your collection?
My collection is one of Nigeria’s largest. It holds over 7,000 artworks of all genres as well as more than 55,000 photographic images of Nigeria’s fast disappearing cultural festivals.
Omo Yoruba (2001) by Gbenga OffoOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
What are the characteristics of Nigerian art?
The forms, styles and concepts of Nigeria art, significantly showcase and reflect the unique characteristics of Nigeria’s culture, customs and traditions. They in general, exhibit the unique identity of Nigeria’s culture and people.
Untitled (2009) by Dele JegedeYemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University
Which artist do you have most artworks by?
The Late David Dale, who worked in twenty-one media. I have all media of his works in my collection.
Bibeli Mimo (1950) by Aina OnaboluYemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University
Name three contemporary artists you would like to collect?
I would still like to collect the works of Messrs Dotun Popoola, Ekpenisi, and Collins Akpabio.
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What is the role of art and museums today?
Art and museums are custodians of the forms and objects of history, culture and way of life of people, society and nations. These two also play major roles in generating and developing domestic and international tourisms. They provide forms and media for recreation, pleasure and education of people in societies.
Adventure (I) (1997) by Bruce OnobrakpeyaYemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University
In playing all these roles, they also provide significant percentage of employment opportunities and revenues for societies, towards contributing not only to growing the minds of individuals, but also to the growth and development of nations.
Ifa Divination Tray (Opon Ifa) 1 by UnknownOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
Tell us more about your art foundation?
My art foundation is the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF). OYASAF was incorporated in 2007 and we organised the first exhibition of its collection of Nigerian modern and contemporary artworks in March 2008.
OYASAF also collaborated with the Late Omooba Oladele Odimayo in November 2008, to exhibit Nigeria’s traditional art collection of totems and drums. The two exhibitions were held at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos. Since then OYASAF has given grants to PhD scholars to gather from its collection, primary and secondary data for research on Nigerian artists and artworks.
Two African Beauties (2009) by Moyo OgundipeOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
So far, some fifteen PhD scholars have benefited from this program. In addition, OYASAF has organized local and international artists in residence programs for some twenty-five artists in both its Lagos and Abeokuta facilities.
Untitled (1962) by Uche OkekeOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
OYASAF has documented around thirty of Nigeria’s fast disappearing cultural festivals in all the six zones of the country. The YouTube live streaming recordings of these festivals can be viewed at the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art and at the OYASAF facility in Lagos.
The Hunter's Prey (1980) by Rufus OgundeleOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
Among many other things, OYASAF has organized a series of lectures in which some number of Nigerian scholars have lectured on the techniques, history and styles of various artists in its collection. It has also hosted numerous local and international art enthusiasts and stakeholder since 2008 to date.
Panel of Miniatures (1993) by Bruce OnobrakpeyaYemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University
What advice would you give collectors starting out today?
New collectors should collect artworks that appeal to them, made by old and promising master artists, rendered in reasonably striking designs and of compositions exposing the passion of artists, made in durable media that gives collectors the satisfactory pleasures desired. Collectors should not try to copy what others are collecting, but should set out, with clearly identified purposes, at achieving their collection goals.
