Asiru Olatunde

Asiru Olatunde (Nigerian, 1918-1993) Animals and birds in the forest signed 'Asiru Olatunde' (lower centre) aluminium repoussé panel 84 x 152.5cm (33 1/16 x 601/16in). unframed Footnote: Like his father and grandfather before him, Asiru Olatunde was ablacksmith. In 1961 he began to create figures of animals out ofrecycled copper and aluminium, and this work evolved into a uniquerepoussé technique on aluminium panels. His subjects includenarratives drawn from Yoruba oral tradition, Bible stories set inNigerian settings and scenes from everyday life. One image seenrepeatedly throughout his work is the tree of life, a universalmotif that also recalls his connections to the groves of the Oshunshrine.

Asiru Olatunde (Nigerian, 1918-1993) Procession signed 'ASIRU OLATUNDA OSOBO' and dated '87' (lower right) repoussé metal 101 x 78cm (39 3/4 x 30 11/16in). unframed Footnote: Like his father and grandfather before him, Asiru Olatunde was a blacksmith. In 1961 he began to create figures of animals out of recycled copper and aluminium, and this work evolved into a unique repoussé technique on aluminium panels. His subjects include narratives drawn from Yoruba oral tradition, Bible stories set in Nigerian settings and scenes from everyday life. One image seen repeatedly throughout his work is the tree of life, a universal motif that also recalls his connections to the groves of the Oshun shrine.

signed 'Asiru Olatunde Osogbo' and dated '1973' (lower right) aluminium repoussé 31 x 57.5 cm. (12¼ x 22¾ in.) unframed Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500 Footnote: Like his father and grandfather before him, Asiru Olatunde was a blacksmith. In 1961 he began to create figures of animals out of recycled copper and aluminium, and this work evolved into a unique repoussé technique on aluminium panels. His subjects include narratives drawn from Yoruba oral tradition, Bible stories set in Nigerian settings and scenes from everyday life. One image seen repeatedly throughout his work is the tree of life, a universal motif that also recalls his connections to the groves of the Oshun shrine.

83 x 112cm for £2,500 plus premium and tax footnote: olatunde was discovered by ulli beier after finding a tiny copper earring on the street outside his house in oshogbo, nigeria in 1961. these earrings were inspired by the portuguese cement lions found at the entrances to the brazilian-style houses in the town. beier encouraged him to make larger free-standing animals and low relief metal sheets to be used as wall decorations or door panels. early in his career he changed from copper and brass to aluminium because of its lower cost and resemblance to silver. he was a documenter of yoruba religious and genre activities, as well as executing commissions for the church. his technique of silhouetting his naive animals and figures against a punched background to emphasize depth is similar to the tradition of benin bronze plaques. a large aluminium panel was sold in bonhams london sale of contemporary african art in september 2000.

Asiru Olatunde (Nigerian, 1922-1993) Untitled (Door Panel), 1976 hammered aluminum door panel inscribed A. Olatunde (lower center) 9 x 29 3/4 inches. Estimate $ 1,000-2,000