Meet the Goddess of All That is Female: Ìyá Mọòpó

Created by Susanne Wenger and Adebisi Akanji, this powerful depiction of Ìyá Mọòpó is more than fourteen meters in height and her legs stretch over sixty-five meters long.  It is one of the finest examples of the work and vision of the new Sacred Art Movement.

“This is a representation of the goddess, Ìyá Mọòpó as a shrine in which holy forces and holy waters accumulate.”
The shrine is inside her torso which contains a spiral staircase  in the shape of the sacred snail shell.

'When we saw her in the dream we discovered that she had more than two hands that we human beings have. She uses one hand to produce palm-oil, another to make pots and the other to spin cotton wool. That is why we made her to have many hands. We just felt that at this place it is okay for it.'

Ìyá Mọòpó resides in Ẹbu Ìyá Mọòpó (the Sacred Potter Field). Guarding this area is the Chameleon Gate. The long spoke tapering skywards represents the Chameleon’s tail holding up the New Moon. All must pass underneath this primordial creature to enter into Ìyá Mọòpó’s domain.

The chameleon is celebrated in Yorùbá creation mythology as the first creature to step onto the earth and with ‘Its prehensile tail and tongue holds up the new moon and the sun.’

Ẹbu Ìyá Mọòpó, the Sacred Potter Field, contains three spectacular works of art.  This sculpture represents the multiple dimensions of Ṣànpọ̀nná. His hands are raised in supplication to Olódùmarè, who is understood as the God.

Water penetrated the sculpture and it was on the verge of collapsing. With Adebisi Akanji and Sangodare Ajala taking the lead, the restoration team brought Ìyá Mọòpó back to her former glory! 

With the excellent materials used, the workmanship and artistry of the restoration team, this remarkable work of art will continue to stand guard over the groves into the future.

It shows her wings on the left and her extended legs at the top right.

As a 3D model, revealing the whole extent of the sculpture.