Edo Door By Victor Ehikhamenor

[Otedo News Update]

Edo door by Victor Ehikhamenor

As an artist from Edo, Nigeria, it is imperative that some of the greatest traditions that formed and inspired me when I was growing up in Uwessan village must not wither under the watch of my generation. Door has been one of those meaningful means of artistic expression in every part of Edo, Nigeria as well as the entire continent of Africa.

So when the descendants of western marauders who pilfered our classic arts ask us where will the art they stole be returned to in Africa, I say to them...return to where they were stolen. Whatever we do with our property is upto us Africans. And we should never forget to remind them that art was not always for art sake.

In making this door from bronze and wood to reminisce the stolen bronze plaques in British Museum and many other western institutions, I would like to thank the amazing architect, Ade Shokunbi of @pwdc_architect , who instigated and encouraged me to embark on this “Edo Door” endeavor and collaborated in birthing it. Thank you egbon mi! Many more to come.

And this is another page in the biography of the forgotten, I must remember my ancestors who made some of the finest works in Igun street, Benin city, up to Olowe of Ise and many others after them. Thank you!

“Edo Door” Victor Ehikhamenor (2018-2019)