Asiru Olatunde (Nigerian 1918-1993)

Untitled

signed and inscribed "Asiru Olatunde Osogbo" (lower centre)
repoussé aluminium panel
122 x 244 cm

Like his father and grandfather before him, Asiru Olatunde was a blacksmith. In 1961 he began to create figures of animals out of recycled copper and aluminium, and this work evolved into a unique repoussé technique on aluminium panels. His subjects include narratives drawn from Yoruba oral tradition, Bible stories set in Nigerian settings and scenes from everyday life. One image seen repeatedly throughout his work is the tree of life, a universal motif that also recalls his connections to the groves of the Oshun shrine.

Condition Report

Surface dirt is visible throughout, including drips of a white substance mainly to the upper right quadrant. There are also scratches and scuff marks throughout. Scattered areas of oxidisation and some pitting are also visible, and a few dents. A strip of alumnium has been added to each edge and then screwed into the board support.