Foremost sculptor and environmental artist, Dotun Popoola, recently delivered a sculptural piece, a Lion, commissioned by Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, the Kusenla III of Ikate Kingdom. The event, which held in the oba’s palace in Lekki, Lagos, attracted a host of dignitaries, was witnessed by the media....CONTINUE READING
Speaking on the piece, Popoola said: “On August 14, 2021, I delivered a sculpture to a client in the presence of 10 friends. Unbeknownst to me, Mr. Aluko had planned a mini exhibition. During the event, he expressed interest in my work. He had admired the sculpture I crafted for his friend and requested me to craft two larger lions for his palace.”
Upon returning to his studio, he went into work after researching the kingdom’s history from the compendium the king provided, and interpreted the kingdom’s story through the canvas of a lion. To further ensure historical accuracy, he also consulted ‘The Evolution of Ikate Kingdom’, a book authored by Prof. Habeeb Sanni, Dr. Bashir Animashaun, and Dr. Olawale Lawal.
“I deducted from the book that Ikate Kingdom’s strength and courage are symbolised by the lion despite various mythological descriptions. The kingdom proudly declares, ‘A ti de ade kinihun’, which means ‘we have been enthroned with the crown of the lion’,” he said.
“The spate of urbanisation in the Lagos State is reflected in the emergence of several flourishing towns in Ikate Kingdom and the Elegushi lays firm royal and ruling claim to Ikate-Elegushi economic development. And this monarchical claim is no way a fabled logic but one with sound historical footing.
“As an artist, I created the lion sculpture size: 14-ft long, 8.5-ft high, and 4-ft broad and weighing 300kg, to encapsulate history, culture, royalty, elegance, luxury, and sustainability and it was made with scrap metals, mild steel, aluminum, bronze, automobile parts, and auto-based pigment. It took me more than two years to finish the work,” he revealed.
“While commissioning the job, I made it clear to him that it was going to take me between two-three years to deliver the best of art to which he acquiesced, saying, ‘I don’t mind the time it takes. I am a lover of quality art. I don’t just collect anything because it is an art piece.’ And from the beginning of the piece to the time it was delivered, I was in constant touch with the King on the progress of the work and that helped to enrapture the anticipation and attention of the king to the delivery period.
“He commissioned me to deliver two pieces of lion sculptures. This first one reflects his fierce, bold personality while the second one will be a sitting lion and reflects his calm royal mien. The work is laced with icons, symbols, forms and colours. I feel so glad that he liked what I produced at the end of day.”
Popoola described the work as symbolic, adding: “If there’s going to be any ornamentation to the throne of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, it wouldn’t be an insignia of leopard, tiger or cheetah but that of a lion. So if the strength of the current king is to be historically documented, it must be related with a story of a lion. His fierce and decisive personality and temperament must form nucleus of the story. In some other African thrones, their stories are encapsulated in other parts of animals.”
What informed Oba Elegushi’s choice of lions?
Popoola said: “I also asked him similar question. He hinged it to the way he thinks and takes decisions, just like a lion. And in African mythology, lion, to African thrones, symbolises strength, bravery, good communication skills, and willingness to fight in the bigger schemes of things.
“This revelation spurred me into carrying out more research on Ikate history by reading some books. I discovered histories of the kingdom. The first Kusenla ruled in 1632. After him were the 20 other kings who were not crowned. They were the white cap chiefs. The current Oba’s father, Yekini Elegushi, pressed to find out that Elegushi throne was superior in Lagos. So, Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom took the lead to revolutionise the industrialisation and urban planning of Lagos and that earned the kingdom a kingly place, the strength and character of a lion.
Popoola said: “On the right hand side of the piece is the 21 white cap chiefs and his father while on the left is his sculpted portrait of 100 kg bronze and some of his ancestors hidden inside the lion. We also have sculpted image of Eyo Adimu inside the piece. This needs a closer look to be able to see the Eyo performing for him and appealing to the gods to guide him through his reign.
“The piece was properly finished with anti rust, clear coats and garnished with Ultraviolet (UV) protection. These precautions were taken because I am aware that the area is a proximity to the sea and we have acid rain and salt water. So the work is preserved against the vagaries of the climate associated with the ecosystems. It is glossy and sealed to avoid yearly maintenance and It can remain like that for the next two-three years.”
On the dominant yellow colour to the art piece, Popoola explained, “this is because most African lions have golden yellow colour on their body. So, it is a movement towards naturalism. Though some of the repurposed or scrap materials used to complete the process were carefully selected from yellow parts of the scrap yard, some of the metal pieces were concealed with golden yellow to give them a natural feel of a lion. So the sculpture epitomizes scrap with a luxury and this is the impression that I’m creating in the minds of the people about my work.”
While receiving the piece, Oba Elegushi, who turned 47 last April, said: “Popoola’s artistic prowess is undeniable, and I must express my admiration of the exquisite master piece that has emerged from his gifted hands.”
He also spoke on how his part with the artist crossed. “I first encountered Dotun’s remarkable talent through my late brother, Dr. Olaolu Mudashiru, and was captivated by the majestic lion adorning his balcony in Banana Island. His dedication to his craft is truly commendable, and I have observed with great fascination his unwavering commitment, ingenuity, and meticulous attention to details.
