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{{short description|Yoruba artist}}
], London)]] ], London)]]


'''Olowe of Ise''' (born ] 1875, died circa 1938) is considered by Western art historians and collectors to be the most or one of the most important 20th century ] of the ] of what is today ], ].<ref>http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/olowe/anon/anon2.htm ], ] exhibition of Olowe's art</ref><ref>'''', Mary Hollingsworth, 2003, Giunti, ISBN 88-09-03474-0</ref><ref>'''', Roderick J. McIntosh & Peter Ridgeway Schmidt, 1996, Indiana University Press, ISBN 0-253-21054-2</ref> He was a ] ] and master innovator in the African style of design known as ]. '''Olowe of Ise''' (]: ''Ọlọ́wẹ̀ of Ìsẹ̀''; {{circa|1873}}{{spnd}}c. 1938)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6s6QN-rVWcIC&dq=Olowe+of+Ise+19th+century+artist+nigeria&pg=PA42|title=The Art of Africa: A Resource for Educators|volume= 1|author1=Christa Clarke|author2=Rebecca Arkenberg|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)|year=2006|isbn=978-158-8391-902}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rofCBAAAQBAJ&dq=Olowe+of+Ise+19th+century+artist+nigeria&pg=PT122|title=Gardner's Art through the Ages: Backpack Edition, Book F: Non-Western Art Since 1300|author=Fred S. Kleiner|publisher=Cengage Learning|year=2015|isbn=978-1-305-5449-49}}</ref> is considered by Western art historians and collectors to be one of the most important 20th century ]s of the ] of what is today ].<ref>http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/olowe/anon/anon2.htm ], ] exhibition of Olowe's art</ref><ref>'''', Mary Hollingsworth, 2003, Giunti, {{ISBN|88-09-03474-0}}</ref><ref>'''', Roderick J. McIntosh & Peter Ridgeway Schmidt, 1996, Indiana University Press, {{ISBN|0-253-21054-2}}</ref> He was a ] ] and master innovator in the African style of design known as ''oju-ona''.


Olowe was born in ], a town known as a major cultural centre in Yorubaland, but he lived most of his life in the city of ]. He was initially employed as a messenger at the court of ] of Ise. It is a matter of dispute whether his artistic career began as an ] or arose purely from his own natural talent. His fame as a sculptor appears to have begun at Ise under the ] of Arinjale before spreading throughout eastern Yorubaland. Olowe was summoned to ], ], ], ], ] and other towns located within a 60-mile radius (96.75 kilometers) to create elaborate household (such as doors and ] posts), personal and ] objects for wealthy families. Olowe, originally Olowere, was born in ], a town known as a major cultural centre in Yorubaland, but he lived most of his life in the city of ]. He was initially employed as a messenger at the court of King Arinjale, the ] of Ise. It is a matter of dispute whether his artistic career began as an ] or arose purely from his own natural talent. His fame as a sculptor appears to have begun at Ise under the ] of Arinjale before spreading throughout eastern Yorubaland. Olowe was summoned to ], ], ], ], Ogbagi and other towns located within a 60-mile radius (96.75 kilometers) to create elaborate household (such as doors and ] posts), personal and ] objects for wealthy families.


Olowe's celebrated status as an artist was recorded by his contemporaries in Yoruba oral praise poetry known as '']''. For instance, this sung by one of his wives and recorded in 1988. Olowe's celebrated status as an artist was recorded by his contemporaries in Yoruba oral praise poetry known as '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Christa |title=Olowe of Ise, veranda post (Yoruba peoples) |url=https://smarthistory.org/olowe-of-ise-veranda-post/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=smarthistory.org}}</ref> For instance, a song sung by one of his wives was recorded in 1988.<ref>http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/olowe/song/song.htm</ref>


==International Fame== ==International fame==
In 1924, Olowe's art was exhibited overseas for the first time when a door and ] ensemble from the royal palace at Ikere was selected for the Nigerian Pavilion at the ] at ], ]. This work of art was subsequently acquired by the ]. In 1924, Olowe's art was exhibited overseas for the first time when a door and ] ensemble from the royal palace at Ikere was selected for the Nigerian Pavilion at the ] at ], ]. This work of art was subsequently acquired by the ].

==Other influence==
The stacked trapezoidal shapes of the “corona” facade of the ] are inspired by the top of a sculpture by Olowe of Ise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Architectural Design, The Corona |url= https://nmaahc.si.edu/architectural-design-corona |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=nmaahc.si.edu}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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Note that Olowe's sculptures were originally painted, but the paint has typically since worn down. Note that Olowe's sculptures were originally painted, but the paint has typically since worn down.
* at the ] ] * at the ] ]
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* ''Female ] and ] Figure'' before 1938 * ''Female ] and ] Figure'' before 1938
* ''Caryatid'', 20th century * ''Caryatid'', 20th century
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* ''Enthroned King and Senior Wife'' 1910-1914 * ''Enthroned King and Senior Wife'' 1910-1914


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Latest revision as of 02:49, 5 January 2025

Yoruba artist
Pair of door panels and a lintel, c. 1910–1914, by Olowe of Ise (British Museum, London)

Olowe of Ise (Yoruba: Ọlọ́wẹ̀ of Ìsẹ̀; c. 1873 – c. 1938) is considered by Western art historians and collectors to be one of the most important 20th century artists of the Yoruba people of what is today Nigeria. He was a wood sculptor and master innovator in the African style of design known as oju-ona.

Olowe, originally Olowere, was born in Efon-Alaiye, a town known as a major cultural centre in Yorubaland, but he lived most of his life in the city of Ise. He was initially employed as a messenger at the court of King Arinjale, the Oba of Ise. It is a matter of dispute whether his artistic career began as an apprenticeship or arose purely from his own natural talent. His fame as a sculptor appears to have begun at Ise under the patronage of Arinjale before spreading throughout eastern Yorubaland. Olowe was summoned to Ilesa, Ikere, Akure, Idanre, Ogbagi and other towns located within a 60-mile radius (96.75 kilometers) to create elaborate household (such as doors and veranda posts), personal and ritual objects for wealthy families.

Olowe's celebrated status as an artist was recorded by his contemporaries in Yoruba oral praise poetry known as oriki. For instance, a song sung by one of his wives was recorded in 1988.

International fame

In 1924, Olowe's art was exhibited overseas for the first time when a door and lintel ensemble from the royal palace at Ikere was selected for the Nigerian Pavilion at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, London. This work of art was subsequently acquired by the British Museum.

Other influence

The stacked trapezoidal shapes of the “corona” facade of the National Museum of African American History and Culture are inspired by the top of a sculpture by Olowe of Ise.

References

  1. Christa Clarke; Rebecca Arkenberg (2006). The Art of Africa: A Resource for Educators. Vol. 1. Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.). ISBN 978-158-8391-902.
  2. Fred S. Kleiner (2015). Gardner's Art through the Ages: Backpack Edition, Book F: Non-Western Art Since 1300. Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-1-305-5449-49.
  3. http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/olowe/anon/anon2.htm National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution exhibition of Olowe's art
  4. Art in World History, Mary Hollingsworth, 2003, Giunti, ISBN 88-09-03474-0
  5. Plundering Africa's Past, Roderick J. McIntosh & Peter Ridgeway Schmidt, 1996, Indiana University Press, ISBN 0-253-21054-2
  6. Clarke, Christa. "Olowe of Ise, veranda post (Yoruba peoples)". smarthistory.org. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  7. http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/olowe/song/song.htm
  8. "Architectural Design, The Corona". nmaahc.si.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-08.

External links and references

Note that Olowe's sculptures were originally painted, but the paint has typically since worn down.

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