Ofo, Igbo, Nigeria

In a cult universe rich in an extraordinary quantity of objects, Ofos sculptures from Nigeria seem to be by far the most important. Presumably composed from simple fetish twigs from a sacred tree, the Ofos have thus evolved to become objects or masks with immediately identifiable forms for those who have seen them at least once. Thus their artistic form was it built from the use of wood and iron but it also adapted to the imagination of each sculptor, the expected use of the Ofo as well as its native territory . A head of heavy wood, a metallic aura gives a body without a limb a most mystical look for long Ofos as well as Ofos formalized by their only head.

The Ofo presented here comes in the form of a particularly thin and slender body compared to those that are more commonly encountered. It also has the rare characteristic of having a double face sculpted and decorated with metallic irons on both sides of the aura. It is thus “januiform”. A strong pigmentation visible on the entire sculpture suggests an intense use for this emblematic object of authority and power.

Literature: ”  OFO Anam, Regards sur un statuary Igbo  “, Alexandre Espenel and Rémy Houdart. Editions Rage, 2001.