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Dada, known as Areogun

Header: Dada, known as Areogun
Also known as: Dada, known as Areogun; primary name: Areogun, Dada; other name: Arowogun
Details: individual; sculptor/medallist; Nigerian; Male
Life dates: 1880-1954 (birth date uncertain)
Biography: Real name was Dada, with Areogun being his praise title (it translates as 'he who sees money through his adze' - Ogun being not the God of Iron, but the adze which for a carver represents the god of iron). He was born in Osi-Ilorin in Ekiti district, Nigeria; Osi-Ilorin being one of a group of villages collectively known as Opin at the eastern end of the old Ilorin emirate. Culturally they can be associated with the Ekiti Kingdoms of western Nigeria [note by John Picton]. The dominant Yoruba carver in Opin and northern Ekiti during his lifetime. He was trained under Bamgbose of Osi-Ilorin (qv. died ca.1920) for sixteen years and subsequently under Fisan of Isare. Known especially for his architectural sculptures such as door panels and houseposts but also for smaller figurative sculptures that were often coloured. His artistic style was characterised by his use of archetypal Yoruba imagery carved in bas-relief. Areogun started to sign his works in the early 1920s. His name was sometimes recorded as Areo-ogun or Arowogun.
Bibliography: James Green 'Bámigbóyè', Yale 2022, p.70 and p.92

10 related objects

bowl

Museum number: Af1971,11.1 |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Made by:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: x85250 Made by:Yoruba |
Production place: Made in:Nigeria |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Osi-Ilorin

door

Museum number: Af1954,23.208.a-c |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Made by:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: x85250 Made by:Yoruba |
Production date: 1924 |
Production place: Made in:Osi-Ilorin |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Osi-Ilorin

door

Museum number: Af1954,23.209 |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Made by:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: Made by:YorubaMade by:Ekiti |
Production date: 1924 |
Production place: Made in:Nigeria |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Osi-Ilorin

door

Museum number: Af1946,12.5-7 |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Made by:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: Made by:YorubaMade by:Ekiti |
Production date: 1929 |
Production place: Made in:Iddo |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Iddo

house-post; figure

Museum number: Af1974,08.1 |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Made by:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: x85250 Made by:Yoruba |
Production date: 1949 |
Production place: Made in:Ekan

panel; sculpture

Museum number: Af1946,12.4 |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Made by:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: Made by:YorubaMade by:Ekiti |
Production date: 1929 |
Production place: Made in:Iddo |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Iddo

panel; sculpture

Museum number: Af1946,12.1 |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Made by:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: Made by:YorubaMade by:Ekiti |
Production date: 1929 |
Production place: Made in:Iddo |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Iddo

panel

Museum number: Af1993,02.4 |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Attributed to:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: x85250 Made by:Yoruba |
Production date: 1920s |
Production place: Made in:Nigeria

panel; sculpture

Museum number: Af1946,12.3 |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Made by:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: Made by:YorubaMade by:Ekiti |
Production date: 1929 |
Production place: Factory in:Iddo |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Iddo

panel; sculpture

Museum number: Af1946,12.2 |
Producer name: AUTH225677 Made by:Dada, known as Areogun |
Ethnic group: Made by:YorubaMade by:Ekiti |
Production date: 1929 |
Production place: Factory in:Iddo |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Iddo