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Original Art

Original works, objects, books, and fair-trade goods with stories worth bringing home.

Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chief, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chief, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
Rufus Ogundele, Brave Hunters, 1984
Rufus Ogundele, Brave Hunters, 198448x48 oil on boardOMOLUWABITHE SALVATION NARRATIVE OF RUFUS OGUNDELE PART IIA Return to the creative origins of SelfIt has often been said that the imbalances of the real world are mirrored and even exacerbated in the world of fine art and other micro universes within our realm of existence as they are both reflections and refractions of those larger inequities. Since art and creativity have been so deeply ingrained in our human psyche, they have informed and influenced our evolution as a specie since the dawn of time.If these injustices and anomalies can be corrected in higher creative spaces, their realignment will no doubt have a ripple effect on wider plains of existence, leveling out the playing field and creating a more equitable world for all.Within this framework of thought, it is thus the prerogative of the artist to uphold truth and usher in new epiphanies of righteousness in moving humanity ever closer to a state of perfection in all areas of contemporary life.As Africa emerges from a protracted period of darkness to embrace a hyper- renaissance synonymous with the glories of the Aquarian age, the artist is set to take center stage in this new epoch.As the curtain draws on the 2000 year old Piscean age, the time has come for new manifestations of divine beauty reflecting the signs of the times and the rise in consciousness of the human family.It comes as no surprise that through a series of cosmic coincidences, the works of the late icon of the Oshogbo Art Movement, Rufus Ogundele and others from that glorious age of spiritual art from Africa, have been brought to the forefront of the global art scene. Lost in translation for many decades, the exploitation of their individual and collective legacies has been on going since their emergence in the early 1960s. Aged only 50 at the time of his transition in 1996, Rufus Ogundele’s works and the powerful message of salvation they carry, resonate more deeply today than when first created over sixty years ago. Weaving the ancient folklore and mythology of his native Yoruba people in to his gospel of universal salvation, his message of everlasting life attainable through a reconnection to self, still echoes colorfully today from beyond the grave. His story narrates the tale of the quintessential outsider celebrating his own sacrificial mission of total devotion to his art as a means of attainting the ultimate goal of life eternal. Kickstarted in the same flower power era of the 1960’s when the hippy movement was gathering momentum in the West, these new energies were the first born of the new age, challenging conventional wisdom and rebelling against war, human greed and capitalism. By visualizing a more equitable community and singing songs of love and peace, these twin flames of consciousness hoped to paint a better world on one hand and harmonize humanity’s soul on the other.Though described in numerous artistic circles and articles as the Picasso of Africa due to his predominantly cubist expressions, Rufus in life rejected such comparisons and pigeon holing as he saw the spirit of art as running wild and unfettered throughout the human family. With time, he came to understand that Picasso’s cubism was greatly influenced by African forms and was often heard saying in jest that “Pablo Picasso ought to be known as the Rufus Ogundele of Europe”. Instead, he saw himself as Omoluwabi, the local hero of kingly lineage, destined to change the world through his example, his character (Iwa) and his art.Discovered just after Nigeria’s political independence from Britain in the early 1960s Rufus Ogundele’s art emanates from deep within the DNA of his ancestral heritage. His father a carpenter and traditional Yoruba carver, came from a long line of craftsmen instructed in the old ways and methods of Yoruba wood workings. Theirs was a guild dedicated to manifesting practical ways of improving life in the community and shrines of local deities like Oshun and Ogun. His name Ogundele literally means “the god of iron/creativity is in the house”. Ogun de ele Naturally born in to this creative school of thought, when given the opportunity to express his brand of ancestral wisdom, he chose to go deeper in to himself in search of the DNA of modern life. By applying the folklore and mythological systems of his native people through this new found medium of oil painting, Rufus Ogundele presented his own artistic roadmap for individual salvation to the world. His works take pride of place in the homes and collections of major stars and celebrities as documenting in the April 1997 edition of Architectural Digest. At home in Nigeria, Afro beat King; Femi Anikulapo Kuti and the highly respected Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi (The voice of Thunder, Obi “King” of Onitsha) are just a couple of well known collectors of Ogundele’s works. They have also been featured in leading galleries and exhibitions in Nigeria, Germany, the UK, France, USA, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Ghana and Japan. As far back as 1966, his works were shown at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London and at a Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibition of the world’s leading new names in art. In more recent times, his paintings have taken center stage in major cinematic features like Disney + “The Crossover starring Felicia Rashad and a host of other Hollywood celebrities. Between October 7th 2022 and January 8th 2023, the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk Virginia featured the works of Rufus Ogundele and other Nigerian artists in their successful exhibition “Black Orpheus” ‘Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club’ This visual alignment of continental African art with the global art movement through story telling, has propelled Ogundele’s paintings in to millions of new minds through new media and the power of popular culture in the US and beyond. In life, his mission was to use his art to penetrate the minds of his captive audience with his visual folk tales and colorful imagery as a means of correcting societal inequalities. In death, his legacy lives on through his collection of rare paintings that speak of his messianic agenda to unite the diverse peoples of our world through the boundless, borderless creativity of the eternal human spirit. EXHIBITIONS2023 “Black Orpheus” Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club (featuring;Rufus Ogundele) Chrysler Museum Virginia 2021 “The New World According to Rufus Ogundele” Nimbus Africa Centre, Norfolk VA2005 “Parallel Vision” Christina Cultural Art Centre, Delaware USA2000 “ A Concrete Vision - Oshogbo Art in the 1969s” National Museum of African Art Washington USA1990 “Songs of Power, Songs of Praise-Modern Visions from Haiti, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea”- San Jose State University gallery USA1988 “Art from the African Diaspora: Becoming Visible”- Centre for Contemporary Art, Newark, USA1985 “Oshogbo Art”- Commonwealth Institute Art Gallery- London, UK1984 Solo Exhibition- Galerie Schwarzweise, Munich, Germany 1981 “Exhibition of works by Rufus Ogundele, Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1980-81 “ Twenty Years of Oshogbo Art” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1979 “Modern Kunstaus Afrika” - Staatlichen Kunsthalie, Berlin Germany1976 “Exhibition of Works by Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria 1975 “Modern Art from Africa” Group Exhibition- Jonas’s Gallery, Baltimore USA1974 “Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1974- Tradition and Change in Yoruba Art, E.B Crocker Art Gallery , Sacramento USA“Contemporary Nigerian Art” Corcoran Museum of Art Washington USA1972- “Africa Creates’72’ Union Carbide Gallery New York USA1970- “Exhibition of Works by Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria 1968- “Contemporary Nigerian Art Exhibition for Ori OlokunCultural Centre Ile-Ife1969 “Contemporary African Art” - Camden Art Centre London UK1969 “Contemporary African Art” Otis$35000
Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chief III, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chief III, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper,$300
Rufus Ogundele, The Community, 1982
Rufus Ogundele, The Community, 198234x46 oil on board NOT AVAILABLE $50000
Gerry Nnubia, Twilight, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Twilight, 202212x12$300
Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chieftain IV, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chieftain IV, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper.$300
Tola Wewe, (Crossover featured) “Gelede Protest”
Tola Wewe, (Crossover featured) “Gelede Protest” 5feet X 5feet Acrylic on Canvas In line with global consciousness at the dawn of the new age, Tola Wewe’s Gelede protest is an indication of the coming together of universal concepts of opposition and change at the dawn of a new era synonymous with female leadership. The Gelede female power structures in western Nigeria are often called upon to counter societal imbalance and uphold spiritual truths in an age of materialism and vanity.$4500
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Lagos Venice, 2022
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Lagos Venice, 202210x16$300
Gerry Nnubia, Light Vision, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Light Vision, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper.$300
Gerry Nnubia, School Children, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, School Children, 202212x12 Acrylic on Paper,$300
Gerry Nnubia, Sunset, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Sunset, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper,$300
Rufus Ogundele, Animal Kingdom, 1991 SOLD
Rufus Ogundele, Animal Kingdom, 1991 SOLD2x3 oil on boardOMOLUWABITHE SALVATION NARRATIVE OF RUFUS OGUNDELE PART IIA Return to the creative origins of SelfIt has often been said that the imbalances of the real world are mirrored and even exacerbated in the world of fine art and other micro universes within our realm of existence as they are both reflections and refractions of those larger inequities. Since art and creativity have been so deeply ingrained in our human psyche, they have informed and influenced our evolution as a specie since the dawn of time.If these injustices and anomalies can be corrected in higher creative spaces, their realignment will no doubt have a ripple effect on wider plains of existence, leveling out the playing field and creating a more equitable world for all.Within this framework of thought, it is thus the prerogative of the artist to uphold truth and usher in new epiphanies of righteousness in moving humanity ever closer to a state of perfection in all areas of contemporary life.As Africa emerges from a protracted period of darkness to embrace a hyper- renaissance synonymous with the glories of the Aquarian age, the artist is set to take center stage in this new epoch.As the curtain draws on the 2000 year old Piscean age, the time has come for new manifestations of divine beauty reflecting the signs of the times and the rise in consciousness of the human family.It comes as no surprise that through a series of cosmic coincidences, the works of the late icon of the Oshogbo Art Movement, Rufus Ogundele and others from that glorious age of spiritual art from Africa, have been brought to the forefront of the global art scene. Lost in translation for many decades, the exploitation of their individual and collective legacies has been on going since their emergence in the early 1960s. Aged only 50 at the time of his transition in 1996, Rufus Ogundele’s works and the powerful message of salvation they carry, resonate more deeply today than when first created over sixty years ago. Weaving the ancient folklore and mythology of his native Yoruba people in to his gospel of universal salvation, his message of everlasting life attainable through a reconnection to self, still echoes colorfully today from beyond the grave. His story narrates the tale of the quintessential outsider celebrating his own sacrificial mission of total devotion to his art as a means of attainting the ultimate goal of life eternal. Kickstarted in the same flower power era of the 1960’s when the hippy movement was gathering momentum in the West, these new energies were the first born of the new age, challenging conventional wisdom and rebelling against war, human greed and capitalism. By visualizing a more equitable community and singing songs of love and peace, these twin flames of consciousness hoped to paint a better world on one hand and harmonize humanity’s soul on the other.Though described in numerous artistic circles and articles as the Picasso of Africa due to his predominantly cubist expressions, Rufus in life rejected such comparisons and pigeon holing as he saw the spirit of art as running wild and unfettered throughout the human family. With time, he came to understand that Picasso’s cubism was greatly influenced by African forms and was often heard saying in jest that “Pablo Picasso ought to be known as the Rufus Ogundele of Europe”. Instead, he saw himself as Omoluwabi, the local hero of kingly lineage, destined to change the world through his example, his character (Iwa) and his art.Discovered just after Nigeria’s political independence from Britain in the early 1960s Rufus Ogundele’s art emanates from deep within the DNA of his ancestral heritage. His father a carpenter and traditional Yoruba carver, came from a long line of craftsmen instructed in the old ways and methods of Yoruba wood workings. Theirs was a guild dedicated to manifesting practical ways of improving life in the community and shrines of local deities like Oshun and Ogun. His name Ogundele literally means “the god of iron/creativity is in the house”. Ogun de ele Naturally born in to this creative school of thought, when given the opportunity to express his brand of ancestral wisdom, he chose to go deeper in to himself in search of the DNA of modern life. By applying the folklore and mythological systems of his native people through this new found medium of oil painting, Rufus Ogundele presented his own artistic roadmap for individual salvation to the world. His works take pride of place in the homes and collections of major stars and celebrities as documenting in the April 1997 edition of Architectural Digest. At home in Nigeria, Afro beat King; Femi Anikulapo Kuti and the highly respected Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi (The voice of Thunder, Obi “King” of Onitsha) are just a couple of well known collectors of Ogundele’s works. They have also been featured in leading galleries and exhibitions in Nigeria, Germany, the UK, France, USA, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Ghana and Japan. As far back as 1966, his works were shown at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London and at a Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibition of the world’s leading new names in art. In more recent times, his paintings have taken center stage in major cinematic features like Disney + “The Crossover starring Felicia Rashad and a host of other Hollywood celebrities. Between October 7th 2022 and January 8th 2023, the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk Virginia featured the works of Rufus Ogundele and other Nigerian artists in their successful exhibition “Black Orpheus” ‘Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club’ This visual alignment of continental African art with the global art movement through story telling, has propelled Ogundele’s paintings in to millions of new minds through new media and the power of popular culture in the US and beyond. In life, his mission was to use his art to penetrate the minds of his captive audience with his visual folk tales and colorful imagery as a means of correcting societal inequalities. In death, his legacy lives on through his collection of rare paintings that speak of his messianic agenda to unite the diverse peoples of our world through the boundless, borderless creativity of the eternal human spirit. EXHIBITIONS2023 “Black Orpheus” Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club (featuring;Rufus Ogundele) Chrysler Museum Virginia 2021 “The New World According to Rufus Ogundele” Nimbus Africa Centre, Norfolk VA2005 “Parallel Vision” Christina Cultural Art Centre, Delaware USA2000 “ A Concrete Vision - Oshogbo Art in the 1969s” National Museum of African Art Washington USA1990 “Songs of Power, Songs of Praise-Modern Visions from Haiti, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea”- San Jose State University gallery USA1988 “Art from the African Diaspora: Becoming Visible”- Centre for Contemporary Art, Newark, USA1985 “Oshogbo Art”- Commonwealth Institute Art Gallery- London, UK1984 Solo Exhibition- Galerie Schwarzweise, Munich, Germany 1981 “Exhibition of works by Rufus Ogundele, Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1980-81 “ Twenty Years of Oshogbo Art” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1979 “Modern Kunstaus Afrika” - Staatlichen Kunsthalie, Berlin Germany1976 “Exhibition of Works by Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria 1975 “Modern Art from Africa” Group Exhibition- Jonas’s Gallery, Baltimore USA1974 “Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1974- Tradition and Change in Yoruba Art, E.B Crocker Art Gallery , Sacramento USA“Contemporary Nigerian Art” Corcoran Museum of Art Washington USA1972- “Africa Creates’72’ Union Carbide Gallery New York USA1970- “Exhibition of Works by Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria 1968- “Contemporary Nigerian Art Exhibition for Ori OlokunCultural Centre Ile-Ife1969 “Contemporary African Art” - Camden Art Centre London UK1969 “Contemporary African Art” Otis A$15000
Tola Wewe, The Age of Aquarius 2021
Tola Wewe, The Age of Aquarius 20215x8$9500
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, A Car Ride, 2022
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, A Car Ride, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper. $300
Rufus Ogundele Queen of Sheba: Sun, Moon and Heavenly Bodies 1992
Rufus Ogundele Queen of Sheba: Sun, Moon and Heavenly Bodies 199224” x 21” oil on board The days of mortal man are governed by the signs in the heavens and his rising and falling by their ebb and flow. These are amongst some of the teachings of ancestral wisdom visible in Rufus Ogundele’s works and they guide us into a better understanding of ourselves and our world$35000
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Field of Dreams, 2022
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Field of Dreams, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
Gerry Nnubia, Night Sun , 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Night Sun , 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper,$300
Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chieftain II, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chieftain II, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
Rufus Ogundele, Yoruba creation mythology
Rufus Ogundele, Yoruba creation mythologyOil on board 35”X46” 1990 Rufus Ogundele. Depicting the pantheon of Yoruba mythological deities in their mystical color scheme, Rufus Ogundele whose name celebrates the Yoruba god of iron Ogun, is both priest and messenger of the divine forces of creation as he translates and brings to physical manifestation their spiritual essences.$45000
Gerry Nnubia, Blue Light, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Blue Light, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
Tola Wewe Ancestral Forms 2017
Tola Wewe Ancestral Forms 201734x24 mixed media on canvas Hidden figures, cloaked faces and mysterious encounters dominate this painting by Ona art innovator and leader of thought, Tola Wewe.$3750
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Twilight II, 2022
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Twilight II, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, The Return, 2022
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, The Return, 202214 x 14 Acrylic on paper$300
Rufus Ogundele, Family of Three, 1988
Rufus Ogundele, Family of Three, 1988 22_x36_ oil on boardOMOLUWABITHE SALVATION NARRATIVE OF RUFUS OGUNDELE PART IIA Return to the creative origins of SelfIt has often been said that the imbalances of the real world are mirrored and even exacerbated in the world of fine art and other micro universes within our realm of existence as they are both reflections and refractions of those larger inequities. Since art and creativity have been so deeply ingrained in our human psyche, they have informed and influenced our evolution as a specie since the dawn of time.If these injustices and anomalies can be corrected in higher creative spaces, their realignment will no doubt have a ripple effect on wider plains of existence, leveling out the playing field and creating a more equitable world for all.Within this framework of thought, it is thus the prerogative of the artist to uphold truth and usher in new epiphanies of righteousness in moving humanity ever closer to a state of perfection in all areas of contemporary life.As Africa emerges from a protracted period of darkness to embrace a hyper- renaissance synonymous with the glories of the Aquarian age, the artist is set to take center stage in this new epoch.As the curtain draws on the 2000 year old Piscean age, the time has come for new manifestations of divine beauty reflecting the signs of the times and the rise in consciousness of the human family.It comes as no surprise that through a series of cosmic coincidences, the works of the late icon of the Oshogbo Art Movement, Rufus Ogundele and others from that glorious age of spiritual art from Africa, have been brought to the forefront of the global art scene. Lost in translation for many decades, the exploitation of their individual and collective legacies has been on going since their emergence in the early 1960s. Aged only 50 at the time of his transition in 1996, Rufus Ogundele’s works and the powerful message of salvation they carry, resonate more deeply today than when first created over sixty years ago. Weaving the ancient folklore and mythology of his native Yoruba people in to his gospel of universal salvation, his message of everlasting life attainable through a reconnection to self, still echoes colorfully today from beyond the grave. His story narrates the tale of the quintessential outsider celebrating his own sacrificial mission of total devotion to his art as a means of attainting the ultimate goal of life eternal. Kickstarted in the same flower power era of the 1960’s when the hippy movement was gathering momentum in the West, these new energies were the first born of the new age, challenging conventional wisdom and rebelling against war, human greed and capitalism. By visualizing a more equitable community and singing songs of love and peace, these twin flames of consciousness hoped to paint a better world on one hand and harmonize humanity’s soul on the other.Though described in numerous artistic circles and articles as the Picasso of Africa due to his predominantly cubist expressions, Rufus in life rejected such comparisons and pigeon holing as he saw the spirit of art as running wild and unfettered throughout the human family. With time, he came to understand that Picasso’s cubism was greatly influenced by African forms and was often heard saying in jest that “Pablo Picasso ought to be known as the Rufus Ogundele of Europe”. Instead, he saw himself as Omoluwabi, the local hero of kingly lineage, destined to change the world through his example, his character (Iwa) and his art.Discovered just after Nigeria’s political independence from Britain in the early 1960s Rufus Ogundele’s art emanates from deep within the DNA of his ancestral heritage. His father a carpenter and traditional Yoruba carver, came from a long line of craftsmen instructed in the old ways and methods of Yoruba wood workings. Theirs was a guild dedicated to manifesting practical ways of improving life in the community and shrines of local deities like Oshun and Ogun. His name Ogundele literally means “the god of iron/creativity is in the house”. Ogun de ele Naturally born in to this creative school of thought, when given the opportunity to express his brand of ancestral wisdom, he chose to go deeper in to himself in search of the DNA of modern life. By applying the folklore and mythological systems of his native people through this new found medium of oil painting, Rufus Ogundele presented his own artistic roadmap for individual salvation to the world. His works take pride of place in the homes and collections of major stars and celebrities as documenting in the April 1997 edition of Architectural Digest. At home in Nigeria, Afro beat King; Femi Anikulapo Kuti and the highly respected Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi (The voice of Thunder, Obi “King” of Onitsha) are just a couple of well known collectors of Ogundele’s works. They have also been featured in leading galleries and exhibitions in Nigeria, Germany, the UK, France, USA, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Ghana and Japan. As far back as 1966, his works were shown at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London and at a Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibition of the world’s leading new names in art. In more recent times, his paintings have taken center stage in major cinematic features like Disney + “The Crossover starring Felicia Rashad and a host of other Hollywood celebrities. Between October 7th 2022 and January 8th 2023, the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk Virginia featured the works of Rufus Ogundele and other Nigerian artists in their successful exhibition “Black Orpheus” ‘Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club’ This visual alignment of continental African art with the global art movement through story telling, has propelled Ogundele’s paintings in to millions of new minds through new media and the power of popular culture in the US and beyond. In life, his mission was to use his art to penetrate the minds of his captive audience with his visual folk tales and colorful imagery as a means of correcting societal inequalities. In death, his legacy lives on through his collection of rare paintings that speak of his messianic agenda to unite the diverse peoples of our world through the boundless, borderless creativity of the eternal human spirit. EXHIBITIONS2023 “Black Orpheus” Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club (featuring;Rufus Ogundele) Chrysler Museum Virginia 2021 “The New World According to Rufus Ogundele” Nimbus Africa Centre, Norfolk VA2005 “Parallel Vision” Christina Cultural Art Centre, Delaware USA2000 “ A Concrete Vision - Oshogbo Art in the 1969s” National Museum of African Art Washington USA1990 “Songs of Power, Songs of Praise-Modern Visions from Haiti, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea”- San Jose State University gallery USA1988 “Art from the African Diaspora: Becoming Visible”- Centre for Contemporary Art, Newark, USA1985 “Oshogbo Art”- Commonwealth Institute Art Gallery- London, UK1984 Solo Exhibition- Galerie Schwarzweise, Munich, Germany 1981 “Exhibition of works by Rufus Ogundele, Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1980-81 “ Twenty Years of Oshogbo Art” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1979 “Modern Kunstaus Afrika” - Staatlichen Kunsthalie, Berlin Germany1976 “Exhibition of Works by Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria 1975 “Modern Art from Africa” Group Exhibition- Jonas’s Gallery, Baltimore USA1974 “Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1974- Tradition and Change in Yoruba Art, E.B Crocker Art Gallery , Sacramento USA“Contemporary Nigerian Art” Corcoran Museum of Art Washington USA1972- “Africa Creates’72’ Union Carbide Gallery New York USA1970- “Exhibition of Works by Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria 1968- “Contemporary Nigerian Art Exhibition for Ori OlokunCultural Centre Ile-Ife1969 “Contemporary African Art” - Camden Art Centre London UK1969 “Contemporary African Art” Ot$25000
Gerry Nnubia, Oga, 2022
Gerry Nnubia, Oga, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper.$300
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Blues II, 2022
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Blues II, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper,$300
Rufus Ogundele, Ancestralpride, 1993, crossover feature
Rufus Ogundele, Ancestralpride, 1993, crossover featureOil on board OMOLUWABITHE SALVATION NARRATIVE OF RUFUS OGUNDELE PART IIA Return to the creative origins of SelfIt has often been said that the imbalances of the real world are mirrored and even exacerbated in the world of fine art and other micro universes within our realm of existence as they are both reflections and refractions of those larger inequities. Since art and creativity have been so deeply ingrained in our human psyche, they have informed and influenced our evolution as a specie since the dawn of time.If these injustices and anomalies can be corrected in higher creative spaces, their realignment will no doubt have a ripple effect on wider plains of existence, leveling out the playing field and creating a more equitable world for all.Within this framework of thought, it is thus the prerogative of the artist to uphold truth and usher in new epiphanies of righteousness in moving humanity ever closer to a state of perfection in all areas of contemporary life.As Africa emerges from a protracted period of darkness to embrace a hyper- renaissance synonymous with the glories of the Aquarian age, the artist is set to take center stage in this new epoch.As the curtain draws on the 2000 year old Piscean age, the time has come for new manifestations of divine beauty reflecting the signs of the times and the rise in consciousness of the human family.It comes as no surprise that through a series of cosmic coincidences, the works of the late icon of the Oshogbo Art Movement, Rufus Ogundele and others from that glorious age of spiritual art from Africa, have been brought to the forefront of the global art scene. Lost in translation for many decades, the exploitation of their individual and collective legacies has been on going since their emergence in the early 1960s. Aged only 50 at the time of his transition in 1996, Rufus Ogundele’s works and the powerful message of salvation they carry, resonate more deeply today than when first created over sixty years ago. Weaving the ancient folklore and mythology of his native Yoruba people in to his gospel of universal salvation, his message of everlasting life attainable through a reconnection to self, still echoes colorfully today from beyond the grave. His story narrates the tale of the quintessential outsider celebrating his own sacrificial mission of total devotion to his art as a means of attainting the ultimate goal of life eternal. Kickstarted in the same flower power era of the 1960’s when the hippy movement was gathering momentum in the West, these new energies were the first born of the new age, challenging conventional wisdom and rebelling against war, human greed and capitalism. By visualizing a more equitable community and singing songs of love and peace, these twin flames of consciousness hoped to paint a better world on one hand and harmonize humanity’s soul on the other.Though described in numerous artistic circles and articles as the Picasso of Africa due to his predominantly cubist expressions, Rufus in life rejected such comparisons and pigeon holing as he saw the spirit of art as running wild and unfettered throughout the human family. With time, he came to understand that Picasso’s cubism was greatly influenced by African forms and was often heard saying in jest that “Pablo Picasso ought to be known as the Rufus Ogundele of Europe”. Instead, he saw himself as Omoluwabi, the local hero of kingly lineage, destined to change the world through his example, his character (Iwa) and his art.Discovered just after Nigeria’s political independence from Britain in the early 1960s Rufus Ogundele’s art emanates from deep within the DNA of his ancestral heritage. His father a carpenter and traditional Yoruba carver, came from a long line of craftsmen instructed in the old ways and methods of Yoruba wood workings. Theirs was a guild dedicated to manifesting practical ways of improving life in the community and shrines of local deities like Oshun and Ogun. His name Ogundele literally means “the god of iron/creativity is in the house”. Ogun de ele Naturally born in to this creative school of thought, when given the opportunity to express his brand of ancestral wisdom, he chose to go deeper in to himself in search of the DNA of modern life. By applying the folklore and mythological systems of his native people through this new found medium of oil painting, Rufus Ogundele presented his own artistic roadmap for individual salvation to the world. His works take pride of place in the homes and collections of major stars and celebrities as documenting in the April 1997 edition of Architectural Digest. At home in Nigeria, Afro beat King; Femi Anikulapo Kuti and the highly respected Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi (The voice of Thunder, Obi “King” of Onitsha) are just a couple of well known collectors of Ogundele’s works. They have also been featured in leading galleries and exhibitions in Nigeria, Germany, the UK, France, USA, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Ghana and Japan. As far back as 1966, his works were shown at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London and at a Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibition of the world’s leading new names in art. In more recent times, his paintings have taken center stage in major cinematic features like Disney + “The Crossover starring Felicia Rashad and a host of other Hollywood celebrities. Between October 7th 2022 and January 8th 2023, the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk Virginia featured the works of Rufus Ogundele and other Nigerian artists in their successful exhibition “Black Orpheus” ‘Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club’ This visual alignment of continental African art with the global art movement through story telling, has propelled Ogundele’s paintings in to millions of new minds through new media and the power of popular culture in the US and beyond. In life, his mission was to use his art to penetrate the minds of his captive audience with his visual folk tales and colorful imagery as a means of correcting societal inequalities. In death, his legacy lives on through his collection of rare paintings that speak of his messianic agenda to unite the diverse peoples of our world through the boundless, borderless creativity of the eternal human spirit. EXHIBITIONS2023 “Black Orpheus” Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club (featuring;Rufus Ogundele) Chrysler Museum Virginia 2021 “The New World According to Rufus Ogundele” Nimbus Africa Centre, Norfolk VA2005 “Parallel Vision” Christina Cultural Art Centre, Delaware USA2000 “ A Concrete Vision - Oshogbo Art in the 1969s” National Museum of African Art Washington USA1990 “Songs of Power, Songs of Praise-Modern Visions from Haiti, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea”- San Jose State University gallery USA1988 “Art from the African Diaspora: Becoming Visible”- Centre for Contemporary Art, Newark, USA1985 “Oshogbo Art”- Commonwealth Institute Art Gallery- London, UK1984 Solo Exhibition- Galerie Schwarzweise, Munich, Germany 1981 “Exhibition of works by Rufus Ogundele, Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1980-81 “ Twenty Years of Oshogbo Art” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1979 “Modern Kunstaus Afrika” - Staatlichen Kunsthalie, Berlin Germany1976 “Exhibition of Works by Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria 1975 “Modern Art from Africa” Group Exhibition- Jonas’s Gallery, Baltimore USA1974 “Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria1974- Tradition and Change in Yoruba Art, E.B Crocker Art Gallery , Sacramento USA“Contemporary Nigerian Art” Corcoran Museum of Art Washington USA1972- “Africa Creates’72’ Union Carbide Gallery New York USA1970- “Exhibition of Works by Rufus Ogundele” Goethe Institute, Lagos Nigeria 1968- “Contemporary Nigerian Art Exhibition for Ori OlokunCultural Centre Ile-Ife1969 “Contemporary African Art” - Camden Art Centre London UK1969 “Contemporary Africa$45000
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, A Village
SOLD Gerry Nnubia, A Village12x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
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SOLD Gerry Nnubia, African Rainbow, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper.$300
Tola Wewe, Family Affair, 2021 Crossover Feature
Tola Wewe, Family Affair, 2021 Crossover FeatureAcrylic on Canvas$4500
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SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Walking Home, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper.$300
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Gerry Nnubia, It Takes A Village, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
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SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Playtime, 202212x16acrylic on paper$300
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Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chieftain III, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
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Tola Wewe, Ibeji34x24, Acrylic on Canvas Capturing the twin spirit of Ibeji born more into Yoruba households than any other on earth, Tola Wewe’s spiritual connection to the Ibeji is born of his native Yoruba and Ijaw roots which place him and his creative muse at the feet of the guardians of the original creation mythologies concerning water.$4500
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SOLD Rufus Ogundele, The Shephard, 199123x41 oil on boardTradition and Modernity in Oshogbo ArtRufus Ogundele, an esteemed artist hailing from the famed Oshogbo art school, stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria. Born in the heartland of the Yoruba people, Ogundele's art embodies the spirit of his ancestral roots while simultaneously incorporating elements of neighboring cultural influences, such as the Igbo, Ife, and even Western ideas of figuration and abstraction.Trained under the tutelage of notable Oshogbo artists, Ogundele's work exemplifies a unique blend of tradition and modernity. His artistic journey saw him traversing between the two realms, embracing the techniques and subject matters rooted in Yoruba tradition while simultaneously experimenting with contemporary concepts.Drawing inspiration from the vibrant and sacred Yoruba mythologies, Ogundele has masterfully depicted celestial deities, ancestral figures, and cultural symbols. His intricate brushwork and vivid color palette bring to life the complex narratives and emotions associated with these age-old tales. Traditional Yoruba aesthetics, such as the use of patterns and repetition, also find their way into his compositions, further reinforcing his connection to his cultural heritage.However, what distinguishes Ogundele from his peers is his ability to seamlessly integrate external influences into his art. Familiar with Ibibio, Benin and Igbo art forms and techniques, he skillfully includes elements from Igbo artistic traditions. This fusion of Yoruba and Igbo art gives birth to a new visual language that represents the shared cultural experience of Nigeria's diverse communities.Moreover, Ogundele's engagement with Western ideas of figuration and abstraction adds another layer of depth to his work. By embracing these modern art concepts, he pushes the boundaries of traditional art, challenging the definition of African art in a global context. His inclination towards abstraction allows him to explore the realm of emotion, using color and form to evoke a visceral response from his viewers.Rufus Ogundele's art serves as a bridge between tradition and modernity, showcasing the evolution of Nigerian artistic practices. His commitment to his roots while embracing external influences enables him to create a visual language that resonates with both local and global audiences. Through his masterful blending of Yoruba, Benin, Ibibio, Igbo, Ife, and Western art, he challenges the boundaries of culture and creates a space where tradition and modernity can coexist harmoniously. As his journey continues, Ogundele's art serves as a testament to the enduring power and relevance of Nigerian artistic heritage.Azu NwagboguForemost African Art CuratorFounder/Director: African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) & Lagos Photo Festival, National Geographic Explorer, Curator; “Everything Precious is Fragile” Benin’s inaugural pavilion, Venice Biennale 2024Sent from my iPhone$20000
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Gerry Nnubia, Homeward Bound, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
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Gerry Nnubia, 2022, The FestivalAcrylic on Paper, 10x16$300
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Gerry Nnubia, Festival II 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300
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SOLD Rufus Ogundele, The Twins: Sacred Union, 1991Sold to Crossover Producer Kwame Alexander ~Tradition and Modernity in Oshogbo ArtRufus Ogundele, an esteemed artist hailing from the famed Oshogbo art school, stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria. Born in the heartland of the Yoruba people, Ogundele's art embodies the spirit of his ancestral roots while simultaneously incorporating elements of neighboring cultural influences, such as the Igbo, Ife, and even Western ideas of figuration and abstraction.Trained under the tutelage of notable Oshogbo artists, Ogundele's work exemplifies a unique blend of tradition and modernity. His artistic journey saw him traversing between the two realms, embracing the techniques and subject matters rooted in Yoruba tradition while simultaneously experimenting with contemporary concepts.Drawing inspiration from the vibrant and sacred Yoruba mythologies, Ogundele has masterfully depicted celestial deities, ancestral figures, and cultural symbols. His intricate brushwork and vivid color palette bring to life the complex narratives and emotions associated with these age-old tales. Traditional Yoruba aesthetics, such as the use of patterns and repetition, also find their way into his compositions, further reinforcing his connection to his cultural heritage.However, what distinguishes Ogundele from his peers is his ability to seamlessly integrate external influences into his art. Familiar with Ibibio, Benin and Igbo art forms and techniques, he skillfully includes elements from Igbo artistic traditions. This fusion of Yoruba and Igbo art gives birth to a new visual language that represents the shared cultural experience of Nigeria's diverse communities.Moreover, Ogundele's engagement with Western ideas of figuration and abstraction adds another layer of depth to his work. By embracing these modern art concepts, he pushes the boundaries of traditional art, challenging the definition of African art in a global context. His inclination towards abstraction allows him to explore the realm of emotion, using color and form to evoke a visceral response from his viewers.Rufus Ogundele's art serves as a bridge between tradition and modernity, showcasing the evolution of Nigerian artistic practices. His commitment to his roots while embracing external influences enables him to create a visual language that resonates with both local and global audiences. Through his masterful blending of Yoruba, Benin, Ibibio, Igbo, Ife, and Western art, he challenges the boundaries of culture and creates a space where tradition and modernity can coexist harmoniously. As his journey continues, Ogundele's art serves as a testament to the enduring power and relevance of Nigerian artistic heritage.Azu NwagboguForemost African Art CuratorFounder/Director: African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) & Lagos Photo Festival, National Geographic Explorer, Curator; “Everything Precious is Fragile” Benin’s inaugural pavilion, Venice Biennale 2024Sent from my iPhone$50000
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SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Red Cap Chieftain, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper,$300
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Tola Wewe, The Crossover34 x24 mixed medium on canvas$5000
RO
Rufus Ogundele, Man, Mask Mythology, 199048x48 oil on board, Man, Mask Myth by Rufus Ogundele is a masterpiece rendered by the originator of modern African cubist as an ode to the African origins of cubist design and the interplay of shapes and forms in narrating the history and evolution of global contemporary art.$45000
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SOLD Gerry Nnubia, Blue Night, 202212x12, Acrylic on Paper$300