Three Pioneering Women of Nigerian Art

Three Pioneering Women of Nigerian Art

The Nigerian art scene has grown over the years and expanded within and outside the country. From painting to sculpture, and pottery, both visual and contemporary arts are not left out. Nigerian women have redefined the art scene by producing brilliant and astounding works of art. Their works have brought inspiration to younger artists and have been admired widely. The works of Ladi Kwali, Susanne Wenger, Chief Nike Davies Okundaye, and others have paved a new way for Nigerian women in arts. 

Get to know about their impacts and contribution to Nigerian art over the years. 

Ladi Kwali

Hadiza Ladi Kwali was a native of Kwali, in the Gwari region of Abuja, where pottery was the indigenous occupation of the people. Born in 1925, Ladi Kwali was known as the pioneer of modern pottery in Nigeria. As a child, she was taught how to make pottery by her aunt, using the traditional method of coiling. Ladi made pots, bowls and water jars decorated with geometric, figurative patterns like fish, lizards, crocodiles, chameleons and snakes. Her style soon evolved into a fusion of both western and traditional techniques of pottery making when she met Michael Cardew, an English studio potter. Ladi’s works were shown to great acclaim in London at the Berkeley Galleries. In 1963, she was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), an honorary doctoral degree from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria in 1977, and the national honour of the Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) in 1981.  

Read Also: Ladi Kwali, the Pioneer of Modern Pottery in Nigeria

Susanne Wenger “Adunni Olorisha of Osun”

Also known as Adunni Olorisha of Osun, Susanne Wenger was a Nigerian-Austrian painter, sculptor and textile artist born in 1915. After moving to Nigeria in early 1950, Susanne dedicated the rest of her life to learning the rich culture and tradition of the Yoruba people. she supported and promoted the local art tradition of the people and indigenous artists through the Oshogbo Art Workshops in the 1960s and also led the restoration of various sacred groves and shrines of worship (Sacred Art Movement) of the Yoruba gods in Oshogbo. Susanne and other gifted sculptors built solid monumental structures and sculptures at the sacred groves and shrines of worship of the people. Her contributions to Yoruba literature were also significant. In recognition of her contributions and support to Yoruba art, culture and history, she was named a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), a national honour by the Nigerian government in 2008.

Chief Nike Davies Okundaye

Mama Nike as she is fondly called is the founder of the Nike Art Galleries in Oshogbo, Ogidi, Abuja and Lagos.  Born in 1951, Nike Davies-Okundaye is one of Nigeria’s most popular batik and Adire artists. She has exhibited internationally and is a leader in supporting African artists and women. Nike Davies-Okundaye spent three years producing the textile titled “The Cycle of Life”.  She created it while training at the Oshogbo School of Art under Ulli Beier and Susanne Wenger. Over the past 20 years, she has delivered workshops on traditional textiles to audiences in the United States and Europe. She has been featured on CNN, CNBC and a host of others.