‘What We Would Miss About Osuntoki’

By Bridget Onoche-Chiedu, Abuja

THE art community in Abuja has described the death of Prince Taiwo Olaniyi Osuntoki, popularly known as Twins Seven-Seven, as another heavy blow on the Osogbo Art School.

Those, who spoke to The Guardian, said the 68-year old Osuntoki would be remembered for his doggedness and pessimism towards life’s challenges, which culminated into UNESCO’s recognition as the Artist for Peace in 2005.

One of his friends and staff of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orietnation, Mr. Augustine B Ajibola, in his tribute, said that Prince 77 was one of such artists, whose names are indelible in the hearts of those people that have come in contact with them. He further described him as a man of engaging personality and one, whose sense of humour defied the physical challenge he suffered in the early 70s, when he was involved in an auto accident.


“He was one of those personalities that their names just etch in your psyche. Prince Seven-Seven being one of the Osogbo Art School stars was mentored by Professor Ulli Beier, who just passed away. Some said he was definitely the most colourful artist in terms of his engaging personality, his trademark dreadlocks and his ability to laugh at himself by mimicking his many wives mockery of his inability, which was as a result of an accident he had in the early 70s.”

Ajibola, whose first personal encounter with the artist was in 2005, believed that Osuntoki’s works, which dwelt on Yoruba cosmology, best defined his ingenuity.

“This is accentuated by abstract images that give his work an eclectic bent; his attempt at music was at best tentative. My first personal encounter with him was in Paris in 2005, when he was made UNESCO’s Ambassador of Peace by the then Director General, Mr. Kiochiro Matsuura

Also speaking was the Director General, National Gallery of Art (NGA), Abdullahi Muku, who first expressed shock at the news of the artist’s death said the art community has lost in quick succession, key personalities of the great Osogbo Art School. This development, he noted, may likely have ripple effects on the development of the art sector.

He described Osuntoki as a great sculptor and musician, who has used his art to promote the course of peace both at home and in the Diaspora. “This is a great loss, not only to the family and the Osogbo Art School but the entire art community. He was undoubtedly one of the most talented artists of the school. The Nigerian art industry will greatly miss him.”

Commiserating with the family on behalf of the management and staff of NGA, Muku said a delegation would be sent on a condolence visit to his family while the Agency will also participate in the burial ceremony if notified by the family.





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