Traditional Forms of Ife Art

When one considered the sheer breadth and size ofthe animal life of the region for their survival needs.
the African continent it is easy to see why so manyAmong the more unique pieces of Ife art, are the huge
unique and diverse forms of art originated there.monoliths created for what appears to have been
Ancient, as well as modern black artists of Africa relyceremonial purposes. These enormous works of art
heavily on the natural resources found in their homesare typically made from granite or clay. Quartz with its
to produce their fascinating sculptures, textiles, andjewel like appearance found its way into a wide
pottery. Like their surrounding neighbors, the Ife hasassortment of religious pieces. Some experts credit
long made excellent use of the materials graciouslythis use of unusual materials to the European influence
given to them by the environment. The result has beenin the region during the period of the 12th through the
a long tradition of products of Ife art that depicts life in17th centuries. Wherever this influence may have
Western Africa.come from, the result was a collection of stunning
Up to the present day Ife artists employ many of theexamples of Ife art.
same artistic methods as their ancestors. FortunatelyIt is little wonder that a civilization as well constructed
for them and the world, many of the ancient artifactsand rich in tradition as the Ife people created such
are being used as blueprints for modern artists andamazing art. Each and every piece was and still is
their influence is tremendous in the current Ife society.steeped the beliefs and values of their society. Ife art
Ife art is a diverse collection of many different artis a reflection of the diversity that is so often seen in
forms. Ancient and modern artists of this region alikethe many countries and regions of Africa. Ife art, since
often use terra cotta clay, bronze, and granite in theirits ancient contributions were discovered in the
work. Quartz is seen used to create primarily religiousarcheological digs, has been a defining force in a
pieces. The people who attend or who have attendedgreater appreciation of all of the art forms this area
Ife school are well schooled in making use of thehas to offer.
resources that surround their beautiful homeland.Mr. Moyo Ogundipe has a Bachelors of Arts degree in
Some of the traditional forms of Ife art are sculpture,Fine Art from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a
statues, stools, and religious items. In the case of theMaster of Fine Art degree in Painting from The
sculptures and statues many different approachesHoffberger School of Painting, Maryland Institute
were used to achieve the desired effect. In someCollege of Art, Baltimore, USA.
cases, the sculptures represented kings and deitiesOne of Africa's most celebrated and renowned black
and were considered to be very stylized in design. Theartists, Mr. Ogundipe has exhibited extensively in Africa,
busts that have been found are unique in the fact thatEurope and the USA. His paintings have been
almost all of them were sculpted to the correct scale.described as hypnotic, colorful and densely patterned.
In other words, the heads were roughly the same sizeIn 1996, Mr. Ogundipe was awarded the
as the head of the model and were made to be aPollock-Krasner Fellowship. And in 2005 he was invited
portrait of sorts. Animals are another favorite subjectto become a member of Africobra, an organization
in Ife art. Many statues and busts have been foundfounded in the 1960s and whose membership
that depict the African respect and dependence oncomprises of distinguished African-American artists.