Rebecca's Presentation

Veranda Post of Enthroned Kanan and Senior Wife

• The Veranda post is a significant artwork from the early 20th century made by the carver known as Olo.

• Crafted with wooden pigment, the post measures more than 5 feet tall.

• Originally situated in the inner courtyard of a Yoruba palace in Nigeria.

• Olo was an artist from the Yoruba region, working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, utilizing traditional artistic practices.

• He gained skills from specialized carving centers, eventually becoming a master carver.

• The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage, sharing a common language and history; their founding city is Il.

• City-states developed over the centuries, led by sacred rulers balanced by a Council of Elders.

• Olo created artworks to glorify the status of the king and his court.

Olo's Artistic Style

• Olo was born in the town of Ise and became a master carver by the early 20th century.

• He produced various royal commissions, primarily for the court in Ise but also for other regions in Yoruba land.

• His unique style contrasted with contemporaries, who often focused on geometric forms.

  • Olo's works included nuanced details such as:

    • Rains and dynamic forms that encourage viewing from multiple angles.

    • Elongated figures often depicted with open bulging eyes, suggesting spiritual insight.

• The symbolism of women in Yoruba culture, particularly in spiritual contexts, is reflected in his work.

Early Modernism and Context

• The emergence of early modernism in Paris, with African art gaining exposure post-colonial conquests in the late 19th century.

• Olo's work, commissioned by King K’raoga, featured five architectural posts at the palace's main entrance in Airi of the Yoruba state.

• The Veranda post symbolizes the king's power and the significant role of his wife:

  • The wife’s larger size compared to the king represents her importance and influence.

Composition and Symbolism in the Veranda Post

• The Veranda post serves not only structural purposes but also represents both cultural identity and the king's authority.

• Composed of five figures in different positions:

  • The king seated centrally wearing a beaded crown adorned with carved ancestral heads.

  • His wife's larger figure demonstrates her central role in governance and community support.

• Each figure's size is indicative of their societal status, with traditional elements like the kneeling messenger representing humility and service.

• Elements such as the bird atop the king’s crown symbolize transformation and connection to ancestral protection.

Cultural Significance of the Veranda Post

• Represents the power dynamics in the Yoruba society, highlighting women’s roles in leadership and spiritual contexts.

• The open eyes of figures symbolize the ability to access spiritual knowledge, essential in Yoruba belief systems.

• The craftsmanship reflects high-level skills and the community’s shared cultural identity, reaffirming social structures.

Mawai Statues of Easter Island

• Transition to the second artwork: Mawai statues from Easter Island (Rapa Nui) created between 1000 CE and the 16th century.

• Made from volcanic rock with coral eyes, originally painted but now faded.

• Most Mawai statues were crafted between 1250 and 1500 CE, designed to overlook the island and its communities.

• Built to honor the ancestors of the Rapa Nui people, reflecting their cultural identity.

• Moai sites, including ceremonial centers like Ahu Tongariki, illustrate the rich traditions of the Rapa Nui.

Construction and Ritual Significance of Mawai Statues

• No single patron requested the Mawai statues; rather, they were a collective contribution by the community after the island was populated.

• The Mawai represented a connection to ancestors, with ceremonies involving the placement of coral eyes to symbolize life.

• Statues are scattered across the island, with some still unfinished or partially buried, indicating a long history of reverence.

Evolution and Features of Mawai Statues

• Nearly 900 Mawai statues were constructed, primarily from softer volcanic rock, with only 14 from basalt, indicating varying levels of skill and resources.

• Recurring physical traits include heavy brows, elongated ears, and ceremonial designs, potentially added later in their history.

• The back designs feature motifs of figures possessing bird-like traits related to the Birdman cult that developed around 1400 CE.

• This cult signifies the spiritual and political intricacies of Rapa Nui culture, showcasing ritualistic practices through the statues.