Fakeye: Real life after death

Shyllon (left) at the unveiling of one of the works.
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A book launch in Lagos rekindles memories of deceased master carver, Lamidi Fakeye, AKEEM LASISI reports

Prominent traditional rulers including the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Alfred Achebe, joined other visual and literary enthusiasts on Wednesday, when a new book on legendary carver, the late Lamidi Fakeye, was presented in Lagos. Titled Conversation with Fakeye, the biographical work is a brainchild of businessman and art collector, Omoba Yemisi Shyllon, who co-authored it with a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Ohioma Poguson.

Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Honekan, was the chairman of the occasion.

The event, which came as part of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, held at Freedom Park, Lagos, gave stakeholders the opportunity to reflect on the artistry of the Ila Orangun, Osun State-born Fakeye.

But Shyllon, who was roundly commended for his commitment to the growth of the industry, also used the occasion to formally present 18 art works he donated to the park.

With the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Dokun Abolarin, and Oba Aderemi Adedapo of Ido Oshun also in attendance, the book reviewer, Mr. Kunle Ajibade, noted that it is an expose on the adventures of the artist in the axe and wood calling. He added that Fakeye further proved that he was a master of the environment in which he worked.

Ajibade, a co-publisher of THE NEWS and PM News, added, “In Conversations with Lamidi Fakeye, this master carver tells the story of his difficult beginning, strivings and triumphs. He learnt how to farm. He was a good barber. He learnt photography. He trained as a bicycle repairer. He also trained as a ‘sawyer’. When he finished standard six, he tried to join the police because carving was not fetching enough money to survive on. In the end, carving was what he still settled for. It was his passion.

“As we navigate through the sea of his stories, we are told of the significant role played by his artistic family, a family that has produced five generations of wood carvers, we are reminded of the efforts made by Reverend Father Kevin Carrol and Father O’Mahoney in the moulding and sustenance of his confidence as a carver at very crucial moments in his professional life. Those Reverend Fathers may be racist in their attitude but the paradox of his relationship with them was that no one else supported his art more consistently as they did when he was trying to find his feet.”

He added that Fakeye’s profound sense of justice and fairplay shines through the book, just as his works reflect the power, prestige and grandeur associated with culture heroes and heroines.

Said Ajibade, “There is a work of Fakeye that I particularly like, but it is not here. It is titled “Justice”. Produced for Dr. Bruce and Ann K. Haight, it is about the 1993 general elections in Nigeria. He deployed both the traditional Yoruba and Western symbols to express his outrage over the mockery of democratic values which that election signified. Honesty and hard work were the binds that tied him to people.

Commending Shyllon, Oba Adedapo described him as a true son of Oduduwa, based on how he promotes the people’s art and culture.

In his remarks, Obi Achebe, who described Shyllon as one-man army trying to preserve African culture, hailed African artists who, he said, had put the country on the global map.

“He is an epitome of art collectors of global standard. The first day I saw the collections in his house, I was amazed, I had never seen a collection of African arts as large and rich.”

For the Orangun of Oke Ila, Shyllon has done the art industry another memorable honour. He challenged top players on the art scene to look help build budding artists who, he said, abound in the grassroots.

Oba Anolarin said, “We need to visit the grassroots to recreate more Fakeyes.”

The authors also relived their experience speaking with Fakeye and producing the book.