Details of Traditional Yoruba Art

Yoruba ArtWhile the women are responsible for the pottery,
Africa is a continent that is rich in tradition,the men have the honor of producing the intricate
history, and still maintains a sense of thebeadwork that is such a large part of Yoruba art.
mysterious. Throughout the centuries, its diverseThe men craft items like cushions, sandals, and
and creative people have made some of thebags. Skins from antelope, sheep, and goats are
most unique and beautiful pieces of art the worldthe material of choice. Designs are often made to
has ever seen. Regardless of the medium chosen,represent birds, flowers, and faces. In
African art depicts the fascinating culture fromcontemporary Yoruba art, the men also create
which it came. In the case of Yoruba art, thisthe woodcarvings. Woodcarving is considered to
African tradition is continued and embraced. Whilebe the most important art form. Most of the
staying true to the practices of their ancestors,culture's sacred objects are carved from wood.
artists today still make amazing examples ofBoth genders of Yoruba society take care of
beadwork, sculpture, and textiles, as well asmaking the textiles. Over the years, several
metalwork and woodcarving.different types of looms have been invented to
Yoruba art in its sculpture form began around thevary the texture and type of cloth produced.
12th century, as far as historians can tell. At thisCotton and wild silk are woven into beautiful,
juncture the material of choice was terracottacolorful cloth to be used for clothing and other
clay. After a couple of hundred years the artneeds. This Yoruba art form is dyed using the
form developed into magnificent bronze art thatnative plant indigo. The weavers are incredibly
often depicted kings or gods. The Yorubaskilled at creating thousands of unique patterns in
invented an ingenious way to create their moldsthe same manner as their ancestors.
for the sculpture using beeswax and clay. AfterModern Yoruba art can be described as a widely
the clay mold was filled with bronze and haddiverse art form. From the beadwork to the
hardened, the artist broke the clay from thewoodcarvings, the Yoruba people have crafted
bronze and finished his masterpiece. Over time,many works of art to reflect their life in Western
this form of Yoruba art continued to beAfrica.
perfected and resulted in some of the finestMr. Moyo Ogundipe has a Bachelors of Arts
examples of ancient African life.degree in Fine Art from the University of Ife,
Most societies have traditional gender roles andIle-Ife, Nigeria and a Master of Fine Art degree in
the Yoruba people had their set, gender-specificPainting from The Hoffberger School of Painting,
roles as well. The women are responsible forMaryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, USA.
crafting their stunning pottery. This tradition is stillOne of Africa's most celebrated and renowned
practiced in Yoruba life. Pottery is a thrivingmodern Yoruba artists, Mr. Ogundipe has exhibited
business industry as not all towns have access toextensively in Africa, Europe and the USA. His
clay, and those that don't purchase their potterypaintings have been described as hypnotic, colorful
from neighboring villages. That makes the potteryand densely patterned.
a very lucrative form of traditional Yoruba art. OfIn 1996, Mr. Ogundipe was awarded the
course some of the pottery made has functionalPollock-Krasner Fellowship. And in 2005 he was
purposes, like cooking, storage, and eating vessels.invited to become a member of Africobra, an
Others are made for ceremonial purposes and areorganization founded in the 1960s and whose
make in honor of the gods. The Yoruba womenmembership comprises of distinguished
are also known for their well-crafted palm oilAfrican-American artists.
lamps.