Adeola Balogun, a sculptor and teacher at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, recollects, with nostalgia, the day he mounted the giant statue of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the Allen Avenue roundabout, Ikeja, Lagos. He spoke with Agozino Agozino, on why he was shocked, watching even the so-called miscreants support the project.
Indeed, many deem art to remain only in the realm of painting and drawing, but, ask Lagos-based sculptor and teacher, Adeola Balogun, he will tell you, it is not so. The artist, who is also a teacher at the School of Arts and Design, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Yaba, Lagos, holds the view that art has grown beyond those conventional areas.
For many years running, Balogun has toed the path of art which sees him take sculptural works to new heights, turning ordinary materials into spectacular monuments.
In his Alagbado home, which also doubles as his studio/workshop, the sculptor displays an array of sculptural masterpieces made of metal and other materials. The place attracts a clients from all works of life, who regularly visit for sight-seeing or commission works.
For many years running, Balogun has toed the path of art which sees him take sculptural works to new heights, turning ordinary materials into spectacular monuments.
In his Alagbado home, which also doubles as his studio/workshop, the sculptor displays an array of sculptural masterpieces made of metal and other materials. The place attracts a clients from all works of life, who regularly visit for sight-seeing or commission works.
A visit by Daily Times recently, led to a chat. He disclosed how he sculpted the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s gigantic statue at the Allen Avenue roundabout Ikeja, Lagos, even when he never believed he would be called for the work and knowing that the job would immortalise his name like the late sage, he strove for excellence.
“The inspiration came from the need to immortalise the sage because of his great legacies. I am happy for the work I did because when the younger people today see the sculpture, they are able to relate it with what they might have read in history books about this great man. The statue is 10 feet tall while the pedestal was constructed on an elevation, so if you add it to the statue, it will give you 10 feet,’’ Balogun said.
He described the work as one of the greatest commissions he had done, saying he always feel fulfilled each time he passes through and see the sculpture. Commissioned by the defunct Gulf Bank, when the first one was destroyed by extremists, Balogun said he was overwhelmed with joy when he watched the former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, unveiled it in 1999.
“For me, I feel very happy each time I pass through and see that sculpture there, because my name is on it. The first statue there was destroyed. Moves were made to restore it, but there was much delay. It was obvious that that those who commissioned the restoration were not pleased with the work done on the restoration and that was how someone recommended me for the work”, Balogun said.
“The inspiration came from the need to immortalise the sage because of his great legacies. I am happy for the work I did because when the younger people today see the sculpture, they are able to relate it with what they might have read in history books about this great man. The statue is 10 feet tall while the pedestal was constructed on an elevation, so if you add it to the statue, it will give you 10 feet,’’ Balogun said.
He described the work as one of the greatest commissions he had done, saying he always feel fulfilled each time he passes through and see the sculpture. Commissioned by the defunct Gulf Bank, when the first one was destroyed by extremists, Balogun said he was overwhelmed with joy when he watched the former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, unveiled it in 1999.
“For me, I feel very happy each time I pass through and see that sculpture there, because my name is on it. The first statue there was destroyed. Moves were made to restore it, but there was much delay. It was obvious that that those who commissioned the restoration were not pleased with the work done on the restoration and that was how someone recommended me for the work”, Balogun said.
Seated at home, surrounded by art pieces of varied sizes and materials, the sculptor, who attended Yaba College of Technology and University of Benin, Edo State, said he used acrylic copper for the project.
Aside the defunct Gulf Bank that commissioned him for the work, Balogun said that it was, actually the Ikeja Local Government Council that had, earlier, proposed the work. He said if there is any work that keeps him happy in his over two decades of career, it is that statue, because, it is always a spectacle to behold any day.
But Balogun still laments the destruction of the first sculpture by suspected extremists. He notes that it is only those who do not appreciate aesthetics that embark on such destructive act. He said, if given the opportunity, he would advise that government enforce stiff penalty against such people.
Aside the defunct Gulf Bank that commissioned him for the work, Balogun said that it was, actually the Ikeja Local Government Council that had, earlier, proposed the work. He said if there is any work that keeps him happy in his over two decades of career, it is that statue, because, it is always a spectacle to behold any day.
But Balogun still laments the destruction of the first sculpture by suspected extremists. He notes that it is only those who do not appreciate aesthetics that embark on such destructive act. He said, if given the opportunity, he would advise that government enforce stiff penalty against such people.
“Yes, it is unfortunate that within a period of two years, when the first one was commissioned, there was a constant attack on the sculpture by extremists. First, they destroyed the two hands, and later it was brought down by the same attackers. I pray it never happens again,’’ he said.
Asked to recollect the reaction of people on the day he mounted the statue, Balogun described it as supportive. In-fact, he is yet to forget the surprise support he got from even the so-called miscreants. “Everyone around was happy and supportive, especially, the so-called ‘area boys’. The support my assistants and I got from them was very overwhelming. For instance, while awaiting the crane and the work was still lying on the ground, people started gathering around us asking for what to do to assist us. I believe this was because of the respect they have for Chief Awolowo. They didn’t even ask us for any gratification, especially, the ‘miscreants’ around. They were all elated that this was what they were expecting because it looked like ‘Baba’. They all assisted in the erection of the statue because of their love for Awolowo.’’
Balogun who said that Art, especially, sculpture, has always been misunderstood, said the reason is because people always misinterpret what sculptural works represent. “For instance, if you look at the work of Auguste Rodin, you will understand what I am saying. Since his death, it is still generating controversy. What Rodin did was to interpret the character of a man in the piece but the people did not see it that way. So they condemned him.”
Balogun, who had established himself as a prolific executor of outdoor monuments and imposing bronze pieces, had produced over a dozen public-commissioned statues that dot the major streets and parks in Lagos and environs,. He had participated in several solo and group exhibitions.
Balogun, who had established himself as a prolific executor of outdoor monuments and imposing bronze pieces, had produced over a dozen public-commissioned statues that dot the major streets and parks in Lagos and environs,. He had participated in several solo and group exhibitions.
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