a sction of the akodi orisa

II

ByMoyo Okediji

II The doctor is Seyi Ogunjobi, an artist in residence at the Obafemi Awolowo University’s Center for Cultural Studies. He has been assisting me to build the ÀKÒDÌ ÒRÌṢÀ. At the exact time the police was storming the construction site of the ÀKÒDÌ ÒRÌṢÀ, Ogunjobi, a Leeds doctorate in creative arts, was moderating a discussion in the lecture theater of the Center for Cultural Studies, at the Obafemi Awolowo University campus. Part of the seminar series of the center where Ogunjobi works, his duties include hosting the seminar series, at which invited guests presents on a regular basis. Yesterday, Ogunjobi was moderating a seminar that I presented, titled, “Invisible Canvas: Painting as Performance in Ile Ife.”

a picture of the akodi orisa

ÀKÒDÌ ÒRÌṢÀ

ByMoyo Okediji

The first report (summer 2018)

Yesterday, July 5, 2018.

ÀKÒDÌ ÒRÌṢÀ

I was arrested by the Nigerian Police yesterday.

To be fair to them, they were angry with my new building, the ÀKÒDÌ ÒRÌṢÀ, in Ile Ife. The police landed in trucks, arms, uniforms, and plain clothes to storm the construction site. There were about ten workers at the site when the police came. The previous day when the police arrived the workers fled into the surrounding bushes, abandoning their tools, unused building materials and the entire construction area.

a post showing Moyo OKediji art piece

STOLEN.

ByMoyo Okediji

This work that I completed in 1980 was stolen from my house in Nigeria around 1994.

If anyone is in possession of it, please know that it is stolen work.

This work and more than fifty masterpieces were stolen from my apartment

a picture showing moyo okediji poised for the camera

Obituary

ByMoyo Okediji

Oladejo Okediji, 1929-2019.

Death knocked on the door, ko ko ko ko; ko ko ko ko.

My father got up from the bed and went to the door and, very boldly, opened the door, saying, “Here I am. I’m ready for your very worst.”

Death: It’s not my fault. It’s just a job. This is what I’m paid to do.

Baba: I understand. Do it. Let’s get it over with.