Renowned Osogbo artist, adopted son of the late Susan Wenger (Olori Adunni) and past winner of the National Art Competition, Sangodare Ajala, has died.
A worker at the National Museum in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Mrs. Toyin Ajayi, confirmed Ajala’s demise.
The artist, who had been ill for some time, passed away in a hospital in Osogbo on October 29. He was 73.
Until his death, Ajala was the leader of the New Sacred Art Movement, founded by the late Susanne Wenger.
The movement was responsible for the creation of dozens of decades-old artworks at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Osun Grove in Osogbo. After Wenger’s death in 2009, Ajala led the restoration efforts to maintain the artworks, a capacity in which he served until his death.
The late Ajala was also a Sango priest and herbalist.
His fellow traditionalist and childhood friend, foremost Ifa priest, Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon and leading Osogbo artist, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, have paid tributes to the late artist.
Ajala will be buried in Osogbo on November 5 according to traditional rites.