20 Contemporary Nigerian Artists you should know:
Tola Wewe, (Painter):

Tola Wewe

Tola Wewe was born in 1959 in Ondo State.
He graduated from the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1983 specialising in painting.

He also did his masters in visual art at University of Ibadan in 1986.Tola Wewe's interest in art began during his childhood, when after the rain, he would draw in the dampened earth in front of his father's house in the village, often repremanded by his parents.

Tola Wewe, Kunle Filani, Bolaji Campbell, Tunde Nasiru and Moyo Okediji are considered to be the founding members of a movement called ONA in 1989. He was a lecturer at Adeyemi college of education, Ondo for sometime before retiring to full time studio practice.

He has participated in several solo and group exhibitions allover. Some of his works include: reclining mermaid;from the forest of ghost; and market women in the street.

 TUNDE KELANI: Another well-deserved cap.

Tunde Kelani and Nike Okundaye

 Tunde Kelani, was honoured with the ‘The Custodian of Yoruba Culture’ award, amidst fanfare, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

According to reports from The Nation Newspaper, The ceremony was organised by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Yoruba Redemption Foundation, at the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade.

Read T.K. comments: “In an interview with The Nation, TK, who was full of joy over the honour, said: “I’m excited about the award.  It also suggests that people have taken note of my works and interest in the Yoruba culture and tradition. So, I see it as an extension of what I have always done. It is, no doubt, encouraging.””

“When asked to state his responsibilities as the “Custodian of Yoruba culture”, the 66-year-old filmmaker further said:  “Like the mission statement of Mainframe Productions, we will not only produce meaningful films, but we will continue to document the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba language and culture.””

In one of my earlier postings on this blog, I said this man is an enigma.(read here) Tunde Kelani and Nike Okundaye: Two great symbols of our heritage.
Great minds think alike. Don’t you agree?