The New Sacred Art Movement – A Proud Art Legacy Continues

Adebisi Nurudeen has been leading the New Sacred Art Restoration Team since 2020. He trained under his father, Adebisi Akanji, for many years and is now training a new generation of restoration artists and artisans himself.

Adebisi Nurudeen is also a master woodcarver, who – like all of the artists of the New Sacred Art Movement – brings a modern interpretation of traditional Yorùbá art into his work.

Formerly under the direction of Sangodare Ajala, he has also been responsible for mentoring and training the next generation of restoration artists in the Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Groves, including his own son Toheeb.

Grandson of Adebisi Akanji and son of Adebisi Nurudeen, Adebisi Toheeb Adesola is a university graduate with a passion for cultural preservation.

Kikelomo is a textile artist who was born into a family of traditional artists.  Her mother was a traditional textile maker and her father, Jinado Oladepo, was a renowned bronze caster.

Kasali Oladepo, son of Jinadu Oladepo, is an Ogbedou or bronzecaster. He comes from a family lineage who create traditional bronze objects, largely used for ritual purposes and is one of only three members of the NSA Movement who all come from families where art is hereditary. 

Moshood Alade Adeniran is the son of Jinadu Oladepo and continues to cast in brass and bronze with the signature creativity and modernism of New Sacred Art.

Ojewale Tunrayo excels as an artisan working in cement. Inspired by her grandfather, Ojewale Amoo, creator of the Egúngún walls in the groves, now Tunrayo ensures that they will last.

Bintu Lamidi has worked for decades with the New Sacred Art Movement as a labourer. She used to mix the cement for Susanne Wenger up until Susanne stopped working in the groves.

Bintu continues to work as a member of the restoration team at almost 80 years old.

Adeyemi Oseni worked for many years as an artisan assisting Susanne Wenger, Adebisi Akanji, Ojewale Amoo and Saka Aremu create their beautiful and monumental sculptures in the Groves. 

He creates cement sculptures depicting Yorùbá deities in his own unique style.

Adeyemi Oseni has developed and improved his skills over the years and he is now an experienced restoration artist.

Raimi Taofik was a bricklayer when he joined the New Sacred Art restoration team in 2016.
He was first recruited to restore the cement floor surface outside of the Ilédì Oǹtótóo Shrine and became fascinated by the work and showed enormous talent as an artist.

Years of practice have perfected his method and style.

Akinyosola and Tayo Akangbe create impressive wood sculptures in the style of their father, master carver Kasali Akangbe Ogun, shown here in the middle.

Grandson of shrine painter Foyeke Ajoke, Kujenye learned this rare art form from his grandmother, who had carried him on her back as a baby whilst painting shrine walls in the groves.
Shrine wall paintings are a symbolic visual art form, which communicate messages to the gods.

From ironmonger to artist, Wasiu learned the art of metal sculpting from his father, Ajibike Ogunyemi. 

Administrator, communicator and organiser par excellence of the New Sacred Art Restoration Team.
Toyin also works for the National Commission of Museum and Monuments as a Chief Technical Officer, Heritage Department, and is a staunch advocate of Yorùbá traditions.